The French-Chinese satellite SVOM (Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor), launched on June 22nd 2024 from the Xichang base in China, is pursuing its mission to study gamma-ray bursts, the most energetic phenomena in the Universe. Since its launch into orbit at an altitude of 625 km up to the end of 2024, SVOM has already detected 78 gamma-ray bursts.

SVOM stands out for its multispectral capacity, thanks to its four instruments (two French and two Chinese) covering different wavelengths. When a gamma-ray burst is detected and located, the satellite sends a rapid alert to the telescopes on the ground, which then take over to measure the characteristics of these spectacular cosmic observations.          
Gamma-ray bursts are essential for understanding the formation and evolution of stars, the composition of distant galaxies... in short, the origins of the Universe. The study of these very powerful events also contributes to our understanding of high-energy physics. SVOM is playing a key role in this research.

At the end of January 2025, the verification phase of the satellite and its instruments showed that SVOM is giving full satisfaction in terms of performance and results, which is very promising for the operational phase starting in April 2025.

SPACEBEL has been involved in this complex scientific mission at several levels with the development of modelling and simulation software:

• System validation bench for one of the instruments on the SVOM satellite, deployment and support for its implementation during operations tests;
• Small Body Mapping Tool (SBMT), a major component of the French mission centre;
• Hybrid simulator (hardware & software) for the SVOM satellite's Payload Data Processing Unit (PDPU);
• Support to CNES during deployment on targets, training, guarantee and maintenance in operational condition.