Welcome back to my latest 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 September. I'm thrilled to share my journey, hoping to inspire others to get a career in the space sector. Every couple of weeks I'll share my experiences, from intensive satellite system training to social outings in Europe with my colleagues.
These past few weeks in the programme have been all about diving into new experiences and learning on the go. I spent a week observing an on-call engineer and attending theoretical sessions on identifying and resolving anomalies. Following that, I stepped into the shoes of an on-call engineer managing daily operations for Sentinel 1A and 1B. This involved managing routine activities, preparing orbit control maneuvers, monitoring the spacecraft for any anomalies, and preparing daily and weekly reports under the supervision of a certified engineer. This hands-on experience provided me with an exhilarating sneak peek into my future as a spacecraft operations engineer in the near future, amplifying my excitement for my upcoming graduation.
Outside of work, I’ve been exploring more of Germany. I recently had the opportunity to visit Heinerfast in Darmstadt, one of Germany's largest inner-city festivals, where I enjoyed the lively atmosphere, and the fireworks display with the Sentinel 1 team. I also took a trip to Berlin, where I visited iconic landmarks like the Berlin Wall, Berliner Dom, Brandenburg Gate, and Museum Island. Each site offered a glimpse into the city’s history and culture, making the trip memorable.
The highlight of this past month was undoubtedly being invited to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Germany, where I met His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador to Germany. The meeting was incredibly inspiring and acknowledged my progress in the space sector which is critical to Vision 2030. We discussed how my experiences at Serco could serve as a source of motivation for future Saudi talent, reinforcing my dedication to supporting our national goals.
Living and working in Germany has been a transformative experience. Traveling across Europe has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of its rich history and diverse cultures. Collaborating with colleagues from across Europe has not only sharpened my communication skills but also expanded my professional network. My growth has not been confined to the space programme alone; I've evolved both personally and professionally through these experiences.
As I look forward to the remainder of my training, I'm eager to continue gaining more hands-on experience to enhance my confidence and expertise to eventually manage operations independently. I'm also preparing for my certification assessments as my graduation (and my last day in the life blog) is just around the corner. Keep an eye out for my next, and last ‘Day in the Life’ blog where I'll share updates on my training, the graduation ceremony, and my journey to becoming a certified spacecraft operations engineer.
Stay tuned!