Since 1988, CSL has been prime contractor for the instrument "Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope" launched on the satellite NASA / ESA SOHO in 1995; it photographed the solar corona.

Optical vacuum tables, in the halls of high level of cleanliness, can describe the behavior of instruments submitted to a restored space environment.

Many space experiments have been tested at CSL, up from METEOSAT satellite Planck, through the instruments of Hipparcos and XMM / Newton.

These vibration tests can be performed in cryogenic conditions, which is required for infrared mission equipments which are cooled before launch (ISO, Herschel).

Center of excellence in optics, the CSL has adopted advanced equipment and specialized in various technological activities for terrestrial and space applications.