Ms Sophie Damy, PhD student at the Centre for Transport Studies has recently received the EISC-ESA Space for Sustainability Award.

Sophie received her award during the 16th plenary session of the European Inter-parliamentary Conference in Paris on 19-20 October 2014.

This award aims at raising awareness and enriching the debate on space and sustainable development challenges.

Sophie was awarded the 1st prize for her project 'Satellite-based Optimisation of the Transport Freight Network'. Mr Yukki Peters received the special mention of the jury for his 'Terra Recovery Project'. The awards were introduced by ESA astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy and presented by the EISC Presidency trio MP Chantal Berthelot, Senator Dominique Tilmans and MP Belen Juste.

Sophie's idea is to develop a multi-modal optimised European freight transport network model, updated using satellite information such as air quality, traffic flows, weather alerts and fleet position. An algorithm will then offer a choice of possible routes associated with a cost reflecting the environmental impact. Such a tool could support the actual growth in transport demand while limiting its environmental impact.

As part of the prize, Sophie has been invited to visit Europe's Spaceport at Kourou (French Guiana) on the occasion of a launch.