The DAMPE (Dark Matter Particle Explorer) satellite has uncovered a universal feature in the energy spectra of cosmic rays, marking a significant breakthrough in understanding these high-energy particles. Launched in December 2015, this international mission involves key contributions from the University of Geneva and other global institutions. The findings, published in the journal Nature, reveal that all primary cosmic ray nuclei, ranging from protons to iron, exhibit a distinct spectral break near 15 teravolts (TV). Cosmic rays are predominantly protons but also include helium, carbon, oxygen, and iron nuclei originating from extreme astrophysical phenomena such as supernovae, black hole jets, and pulsars. Despite being the most energetic particles observed in the universe, their exact origins and propagation mechanisms have remained a scientific mystery for over a century. The DAMPE telescope was designed to address these questions, particularly investigating the potential role of dark matter in their formation. Researchers analyzed high-precision data collected by the satellite and identified a phenomenon known as spectral softening. Normally, the number of cosmic ray particles decreases as their energy increases, but this study shows a much sharper decline occurring around a specific rigidity value of 15 TV. Rigidity measures a particle's resistance to deflection by magnetic fields. The discovery of this common structure across all studied nuclei strongly supports theoretical models suggesting that cosmic ray acceleration and transport depend on rigidity. Conversely, the results rule out alternative models that prioritize energy per nucleon, with a confidence level of 99.999 percent. The University of Geneva team played a central role in this achievement. The group developed advanced artificial intelligence techniques to reconstruct detected events and led critical measurements of proton and helium fluxes, as well as carbon analysis. Additionally, they spearheaded the development of the Silicon-Tungsten Tracker (STK), a major sub-detector essential for precisely reconstructing particle trajectories and measuring their charge. These results represent a major step toward clarifying the origins of cosmic rays and the mechanisms governing their movement through the galaxy. By providing new experimental constraints on acceleration models in astrophysical sources and particle transport in the interstellar medium, the study paves the way for more accurate descriptions of high-energy particle populations. This discovery not only refines current theories but also offers deeper insights into the dynamic processes shaping our universe, continuing the legacy of the DAMPE mission in exploring the cosmos.