Space... finding the way to VEGA
Space has always fascinated me, which made my choice to study Aerospace Engineering a natural one. I chose to obtain my Masters Degree in Orbital Mechanics. That was what led me to the European Space Agency and in particular to ESOC, where I worked at the Mission Analysis Section on the design of several future missions. Being at ESOC I was introduced to Spacecraft Operations and to VEGA, and did not hesitate to accept their offer to become one of their Simulations Officers. Working for VEGA in this position, I haven’t had a boring day yet! I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience, which I think could be valuable to many of VEGA's clients in the space market, and related domains. Additionally, VEGA is always welcoming new ideas and initiatives to add value to the services we provide.
The Simulations Officer’s job
The job of a Simulations Officer is to plan, manage, assess and run a training programme in preparation of the ground segment for the most critical phases in the life of a mission (LEOP - Launch and Early Orbit Phase, Commissioning, Orbit insertion, etc). It entails solid knowledge of the mission, the spacecraft, the various ground segment elements and the teams involved in operating the spacecraft. But also, it requires insight in training of large teams and co-ordinating with various groups who have different backgrounds and interests; all in an international and highly dynamic environment.
Variety
In the last three years as a Simulations Officer, I have worked on three completely different missions: ENVISAT, a large earth observation mission, SMART-1, a small budget technology demonstrating lunar mission and Mars Express, an ambitious interplanetary mission. I have learned a lot about the preparation, design and validation of the ground and space segments as well as the training involved in ensuring readiness of the various teams for the launch and other critical phases of such missions. I have gained insight in the details of spacecraft subsystems, ground segment elements and simulators, yet keeping a helicopter view in order to correctly identify the strategy required within the given time and budget.
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