Equipment manufacturer shaping a safer, more sustainable future – on Earth and in Space
Sodern designs and delivers high-precision optronic equipment – from star trackers to advanced cameras – enabling wide-ranging missions in telecommunications, Earth observation, and scientific exploration.
For deterrence and security, Sodern provides mission-critical technologies, combining performance and reliability to help build a safer, more sustainable world.
As a pioneer in neutron activation analysis, Sodern brings unrivaled expertise to industry to enable more sustainable production processes.
Star-based positioning is now possible, both day and night, thanks to daytime star trackers capable of providing accurate, reliable information in GNSS-denied environments.
Our values
Building on the past, shaping the future
Creation of Sodern
Sodern was founded to fulfil a highly strategic mission: developing and manufacturing neutron solutions in support of national sovereignty.
Europe's first Earth horizon sensors
These instruments, precursors of star trackers, positioned Sodern as a world leader in space orientation technology.
First Sodern star tracker
Anticipating the future, Sodern focused on star trackers, which would soon replace Earth horizon sensors.
First neutron generators
Sodern markets the first neutron generators for research and nuclear waste control after reprocessing.
First Focal Plane
Launch of the French SPOT 1 satellite equipped with Sodern’s DTA01 camera – the result of eight years of development.
First star tracker on a SATCOM
The world’s first deployment of a star tracker on a civil geostationary telecommunications satellite.
First neutron tube for oil logging
Design of the Sodilog neutron tube for oil logging tools needing operation temperatures of 150°C.
First cross-belt analyzer
Design of the first online cement raw material analyzer (CNA) equipped with a neutron generator.
First Hydra star tracker
The global benchmark in high-performance star trackers, Hydra delivers modularity and performance with its multiple versions.
First pulsed neutron geophysical probe
Introduction of the FastGrade™ probe in the mining sector for real-time resource estimation and grade control.
SEIS delivery (NASA InSight)
Sodern designed and built the core of the SEIS seismometer, the main instrument of NASA’s InSight mission to explore Mars.
CSO Satellite Launch
For the CSO program, France’s very high-resolution (VHR) military Earth observation satellites, Sodern designed the focal plane, the camera system’s core component.
Auriga™ star tracker first flight
In 2016, Airbus OneWeb Satellites chose Sodern to equip its entire OneWeb constellation with 1,800 Auriga™ star trackers.
First daytime star tracker flight test
Conducted aboard a French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA) aircraft, these initial tests demonstrated the effectiveness of Sodern’s star trackers for onboard positioning, including in full daylight.
Launch of ESA JUICE mission
In 2031, the JUICE space probe will explore Jupiter’s natural satellites. Sodern’s NavCam space camera will capture images of Jupiter’s moons against a stellar background, optimizing guidance and path control during moon overflights in a highly radioactive environment.
Launch of NASA Europa Clipper mission
Launched in 2024, NASA’s Europa Clipper is equipped with a Hydra Custom star tracker for added robustness on its mission to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa.
Launch of Astradia daytime star tracker
Specially designed for aircraft and guided by the stars, Astradia delivers day- and night-time attitude measurements when combined with an inertial navigation system (INS). Astradia is not reliant on GNSS radio navigation signals, and aims to counter the natural drift in inertial navigation systems. It also offers the advantage of emitting no waves.
Quality at Sodern
Sodern relies on a unique site incorporating state-of-the-art production facilities to design and manufacture high-performances, competitive equipment perfectly suited to its customers' needs.
Each product is designed from the earliest stages of development for industrial production, with constant attention paid to quality and cost control. This structured approach is based on a culture of operational excellence at all levels of the organization.
Executive Committee
Vincent Dedieu
Chairman and CEOVincent Dedieu, Chief Armament Engineer, is the Chief Executive Officer of Sodern.
After starting his career at the “Direction Générale de l’Armement”, Vincent Dedieu served as the rapporteur for the Fioraso report in 2016.
In the same year, he joined Sodern as Director of Strategy and Innovation before being appointed Deputy General Manager and Director of Operations in March 2018.
Jean-Marc Espinasse
Deputy CEO, Chief Operating OfficerJean-Marc Espinasse is the Deputy General Manager and Director of Operations at Sodern. A graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and ENSTA Paris, Jean-Marc Espinasse is a Chief Armament Engineer.
He joined Sodern in 2019 as Director of Strategy and Innovation, after starting his career in aeronautics and defense at the “Direction Générale de l’Armement”.
Since his arrival, he has implemented an ambitious strategy to make Sodern a global leader in its market segments.
Sandra Feilles
Vice-President Innovation & ProgramsA graduate of SUPMICROTECH – ENSMM, Sandra joined Sodern in 2018 after starting her career in the automotive industry, where she held roles in R&D, Product Line, Projects, and Project Department.
Since her arrival, she has established and led the Star Trackers program, through which she supported the company’s transformation by engaging teams across functions around the growth strategy of her program.
She was appointed Director of Innovation and Programs in July 2023.
Frédéric De Larminat
Chief Financial OfficerFrédéric has a business school education – complemented by an Exec MBA from Cranfield School of Management.
He began his career by developing an expertise in “high-level” finance acquired on an international scale at Lafarge Gypsum as Treasurer and then Mergers & Acquisitions Analyst.
He then led the administrative and financial teams as Chief Financial Officer for GKN’s automotive division, and later for the Fresenius healthcare group in France.
In 2021, he was appointed Group CFO of Evolis, an ETI specializing in the development and manufacture of data encryption solutions.
He was appointed CFO of Sodern in July 2023.
Fabien Robert
Vice-President Business Development & SalesFabien Robert earned his Ph.D. from ESIEE Paris Engineering School in 2010, specializing in telecommunications electronics.
After more than 10 years in various roles (Technical Sales Support, Sales Director, COO, and CEO) in different European foundries, Fabien joined Sodern in 2020 as Director of the Engineering Department before becoming Vice President, Sales, and Marketing.
For 3 years, he focused on developing a new conquest strategy at Sodern before being appointed Director of Development and Commerce in July 2023.
Brice Henry
Vice-President Site managerAn engineering graduate from the Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées, Brice Henry began his career as an industrial project manager at Airbus Helicopters, then as head of investments, infrastructure, and general services, before becoming coordinator of Facility Management activities for the 5 Airbus sites based in Île-de-France.
He joined Sodern in 2020 as head of facility management and security. He was appointed Site Director in January 2023.
Nadia Blondeau
Director of Human ResourcesA graduate of Sciences Po Lyon, with a Master’s degree in Social Law from Assas and an Executive MBA from EDHEC, Nadia Blondeau joined Sodern in April 2024 as Director of Human Resources.
With over 20 years of professional experience in Human Resources across companies with up to 16,000 employees, she has provided hands-on support to business units both in France and internationally, in diverse sectors such as luxury, banking, insurance, healthcare, and industry.
Nadia Blondeau is a certified coach.
