The space agency will thus enable the French scientific community to prepare for the analysis of the first rock samples to be brought back from Mars by the French-American mission, Mars Sample Return.
Scientists are as fascinated by Martian meteorites as they are by the planet Mars.
To date, less than twenty such meteorites have been officially identified around the world. As a tribute to this remarkable man, the CNES gave his name to the NWA 480 meteorite. A number of French scientists are expected to attend the ceremony.