Developing bespoke software to track objects in space Ryan's story

System Analyst Ryan Perry is among the next generation of systems engineers to join our skilled team at RAF Fylingdales.

At RAF Fylingdales, we provide operations and maintenance support to the Solid State Phased Array Radar (SSPAR) as part of the UK / US Ballistic Missile Early Warning System. Having supported the UK government at RAF Fylingdales for 60 years, our team is trusted to deliver excellent results.

Since graduating from Cranfield University with a Masters in space engineering, Ryan has seen his career progress with Serco. Ryan said, “I was looking online for jobs in astrodynamics, and found a job on the Space Careers website for an orbital analyst at RAF Fylingdales. I went through the interview process, and ended up securing a programming position, developing a new piece of software.

“It’s been a great learning process, introducing myself to different coding practices. I've focused on developing the displays, and pages, and how a person interacts with all the data within the database. I had no experience coding in C++ before coming here, and now I would say I'm a competent coder.”

Ryan Perry
System Analyst, RAF Fylingdales

Ryan recently helped develop a bespoke software solution which takes the raw data from the radar and supports analysts to see what’s happening to objects in space.

“I’ve gained an unbelievable amount of knowledge from this job and am now the lead software engineer and sole programmer on this project. It’s very creative. You write a line of code, and then when it doesn’t work you have to figure out why not. You get such a rush from knowing you solved the problem.

System Analyst Ryan Perry working with the Enhanced Spacetrack Processor at RAF Fylingdales

“Over the last year, I’ve implemented new functionality into the software to aid the system's usability and efficiency, I’m further developing the connection between the software programme and the radar system, and I’m involved in the testing process so I can provide solutions to issues as they arise.

“I’m really chuffed to be working in the space industry. Some of the jobs I was looking at were outside of the UK, so to find a job I really wanted to do, that was only a few hours up the road, has been amazing.”

Ryan has been recognised with a Global Pulse Award, Serco’s premier recognition programme, further celebrating the impact his innovative contribution has brought to our RAF Fylingdales team.

We’re #SercoAndProud of Ryan’s achievements and look forward to supporting him to impact a better future.