Overview of the JEM-EUSO program for the study of ultra-high-energy cosmic-rays from space

International audienceUltra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) offer a unique chance to study the universe at energies inaccessible by man-made accelerators. Observations by ground based observatories have clarified severalcharacteristics of these particles, but their origin, nature, andacceleration mechanisms are still unclear, mostly due to their extremely low flux. Space-based observatories have the potential for anincrease in statistics, up to several orders of magnitude, and would be able to cover the whole sky,allowing for a direct comparison of spectra and direction of arrival, but the detector design poses several formidable technical challenges. The JEM-EUSO program has been addressing this problem, trying to open the road of space-based UHECR observations. Several missions have already been completed (on the ground:EUSO-TA; with stratospheric ballons: EUSO-Balloon, EUSO-SPB1 and EUSO-SPB2; in space: TUS, MINI-EUSO). Others are under study (K-EUSO) or proposed for the next decade (POEMMA). In this work we report on the status of the JEM-EUSO program and the technology developed so far