Welcome back to my blog as a Serco Space Graduate! As a quick refresher, I'm Sarah AlHabbas and I embarked on my space journey with Serco's Space Graduate programme back in November 2023. Starting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, I've since relocated to Darmstadt, Germany for intensive training before my graduation in July. I'm thrilled to share my journey, hoping to inspire others to think about a career in the space sector. Every few weeks, I'll share my experiences, from intensive satellite system training to social outings with my colleagues and European sightseeing.
These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of learning and hands-on experiences. One of the most exciting opportunities was witnessing the on-call spacecraft operations engineers. I observed them navigating through routine operations, tackling anomalies and performing collision avoidance maneuvers. The meticulous process of de-orbiting a satellite was a particular highlight, reinforcing my eagerness to soon take on the role of a spacecraft operations engineer myself.
Diving deeper into the technical side, I had the chance to work with the Sentinel-1 simulator. Understanding the ins and outs of such an advanced tool was incredibly rewarding, and it helped solidify my knowledge of routine satellite operations. Additionally, attending the introductory simulation campaigns for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) EarthCARE mission was an enlightening experience that allowed me to connect with industry experts and gather valuable insights on the nuances of spacecraft engineering.
However, it's not all work, being part of the Serco Space Graduate Programme has given me the chance to explore Europe, enriching my personal growth and life experiences. I was able to explore the enchanting town of Heidelberg in Germany, where I visited the famous Heidelberg castle and the serene Neckar River.
I celebrated Eid with the COP-2 team, sharing aspects of my own culture while embracing theirs. Casual lunches with colleagues from The European Space Operations Centre have also been enlightening, broadening my understanding of various space missions beyond Sentinel.
Moreover, I finally got the chance to visit a country that’s always been on my bucket list – Iceland. I got to see icebergs, waterfalls, active volcanoes and the northern lights for the first time ever which was my main goal of the trip. Without a doubt this was a personal highlight of the past month.
Looking ahead at my training in the programme, I eagerly anticipate witnessing more live passes over Sentinel-1A and 1B, further theoretical training on some known Sentinel-1 anomalies and gaining more exposure to other missions. I also look forward to training on some activities using the simulator.
Finally, I hope to continue to impact a better future through this programme by supporting Serco’s aim of bringing national visions to life. I’m learning so much here I can’t wait to use this knowledge in my home country.
Stay tuned for my next blog for updates on my exciting journey within the Serco Space Graduate Programme!
