Thibault MICHEL

Project Leadership:
Directed the prototyping and development of a lasercom terminal for long-range horizontal links, advancing the project to TRL7. Managed a team of three R&D optical engineers, coordinating closely with mechanical and electronics departments.

Research and Component Analysis:
Conducted comprehensive literature and competitor reviews to identify optimal components for integration. Established and maintained supplier relationships to streamline sourcing of essential parts.

Optical System Design and Integration:
Designed the optical chain, integrating key sub-components including telecom transceivers/receivers, modems, optical amplifiers, fast-steering mirrors, beam position sensors, and fiber components. Oversaw full solution qualification through rigorous laboratory and on-site testing.

Client Interaction and Project Planning:
Collaborated with client project managers on project planning and budgeting. Facilitated weekly technical meetings with clients, addressing project developments and troubleshooting as needed.

Proposal Development:
Authored detailed technical proposals in response to high-stakes defense industry tenders through comprehensive and competitive proposals.

Numerical Tool Development for Wave Propagation:
Developed and maintained numerical tools for wave propagation simulations, supporting the design and optimization of spatial mode shapers, including Multi-Plane Light Converters.

Atmospheric Turbulence Modeling:
Created and refined simulation tools to model optical effects caused by atmospheric turbulence, enhancing system performance predictions under varying atmospheric conditions.
Managed and calculated optical link budgets across multiple scenarios (LEO, GEO, horizontal) ensuring accurate performance assessments for each use case.