© Sébastien CHASTANET/OMP/IRAP/CNRS Photothèque

The 'Origins' (life and Universe) exploratory PEPR

The 'Origins' programme brings together 28 national organisations and universities that represent the whole 'Origins' community. This PEPR focuses on removing scientific barriers in five areas:

  • Using direct imaging to detect and characterise exoplanets; 
  • The analysis of space samples, with or without biological risks;
  • Study of the Earth in its entirety as a habitable planet;
  • Laboratory experiments in exobiology and the bio-analysis of samples from ancient Earth or Mars;
  • Numerical modelling and data analysis.

Overcoming these obstacles to scientific progress will drive multiple medium- and long-term benefits for national technological know-how and, as a consequence the environment and France's economy and health.

  • Programme leader: CNRS
  • Partners: AMU, CEA, CNES, Collège de France, Lyon ENS, the Pasteur Institute, IPGP, MNHN, the Paris Observatory, the Côte d'Azur Observatory (OCA), the National Aerospace Research Centre (ONERA), PSL, Sorbonne University, University of Clermont Auvergne (UCA), UCBL1, University of Bordeaux, UGA, Jean Monnet University (UJM), University of Lille, Université de Lorraine, University of Nantes, Paris University, Paris-East Créteil University, Paris-Saclay University, University of Strasbourg, Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier University