Sara works as a BepiColombo Science Operations System Engineer and Work Area Manager of the Payload Operations and Software Development for the Planetary Missions Service at the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Madrid, Spain.
What is your favourite aspect of your job?
I work on challenging technical problems where the context changes frequently and I have to make use of different kinds of skills, so I never get bored! And I work with a great team. My technical work allows me to better understand the problems, issues and difficulties of the people I am managing, which is an advantage for me and for them, even if combining them is sometimes not easy.
What attracted you to a career in engineering in the space sector?
For me the space sector means addressing human challenges with common objectives. Working in space science and exploration, I feel we are making history every day – and I also feel I am involved in human science and exploration, contributing to our common goals as humans. I am working but at the same time I am learning new things every day, which is very motivating.
What has been your most memorable career highlight?
Participating in the Mars orbit insertion part of ESA’s Mars Express mission in 2003 was an amazing moment in my early career. [This was when the spacecraft was slowed down and captured into Mars’ orbit]. Then, more recently, in the past 6 years I have been supporting the science operations of the BepiColombo planetary flybys of the Earth, Venus and Mercury.
Being part of these events makes me feel very happy and motivates me to continue working in the space sector, and in particular in space science and exploration.
Would you recommend a career in your sector?
Of course I would! The space sector allows you to work in exciting projects and be involved in very specific and challenging engineering solutions, combined with the beauty of exploring our universe and feeling that you are contributing to human knowledge and understanding.
Working in the space sector, you will meet extremely professional and unique people, who are passionate about the work they do, and work in an international environment where you learn new things every day – it is never boring!
Any tips for people considering jobs in your sector?
I recommend people keep trying, if the space sector is their passion. It is a unique working environment, from both technical and human points of view. Never give up! Try and try – having the combination of the right attitude and interest is important, and there are no limits if you believe you can make it.
If you like an international environment and new projects and challenges, the space sector is definitely the place to work.
I am very thankful to people in this company who always believed in me and gave me the opportunity to grow in my professional career. Being part of this team keeps me engaged and proud of the work we do.
Working with such a great team of professionals makes challenges easy to face and provides a nice environment to achieve new goals. The company’s team culture puts the employee first, which is important in order to give the best of yourself at work every day. I am very happy to be part of this family and contribute to its success with all my enthusiasm!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a mother of two kids, so in my spare time I am also very busy! I love spending time with them, playing sports, travelling and sharing our daily life. Children see and enjoy life from a different and nice perspective – one that sometimes we are not able to see as adults. And now with our new family member, our puppy, it makes everything even funnier.
Also, whenever I can, I go hiking in the mountains, where I feel closer to the sky and our universe. In the mountains I can sense our beloved planet Earth and its nature, have a relaxing time and charge my batteries, which keeps me going in all the aspects of my life.
Tell us something unusual about yourself?
Some people say I am a “force of nature”, with very strong personality – full of energy and unstoppable. I always want to try, even if I know I could fail, with all my energy and passion in all aspects of my life, including work. I am also very positive, so I can usually see ‘la vie en rose’, even when nobody else sees it!