Self-proclaimed ‘sci-fi nerd’ Lacey Harrison is thriving in her role as Spacetrack Analyst at RAF Fylingdales. Since joining Serco in 2016, Lacey has gained a huge amount of technical expertise and confidence in her ability.
Lacey’s excellent work has been formally recognised by our customer, UK Space Command, with Lacey receiving the ‘Outstanding Individual Achievement’ award at the 2023 UK Space Command Awards Dinner.
Lacey’s progression from duty Spacetrack Operator to Lead Spacetrack Analyst is a result of her consistent hard work. Lacey has grown her technical knowledge of orbital mechanics, the radar system, and analysis tools through her time on the job.
Her work now sees Lacey collaborating with radar system analysts to improve satellite detection and tracking techniques across the network, deliver training to Royal Air Force crews and updating training packages for our Spacetrack Operators.
A local who grew up in the Whitby area of Yorkshire, Lacey has a strong family connection to Fylingdales. “My cousin was a Spacetrack Analyst at Fylingdales, and his dad was also a firefighter on site, so I knew people that worked there, but I didn’t have a clue that it had anything to do with space.”
"Getting the Spacetrack Analyst job shocked me because at the time I was a welder and it was not the path I thought I was going to take. I’d just finished my Higher National Certificate in Civil Engineering, and although I was strong at maths, I didn’t have a degree. But the interviewers saw my potential and decided I had the right foundations and attitude and that they could teach me what I needed to know.”
“I really enjoyed the 1-to-1 on-the-job teaching because I’m someone who asks a lot of questions. At Fylingdales I’m surrounded by people with brains the size of planets, but they are all willing to support you to learn. Although it’s impossible to learn everything, if you want to progress, the opportunities are there for you to pursue.”
As a woman in the Space industry, Lacey is an advocate for more gender diversity and female representation.
“When I trained to be a welder, I definitely stuck out as the only woman. At Fylingdales, I just felt like the next person they hired. It’s been amazing.”
Lacey Harrison
Lead Spacetrack Analyst, RAF Fylingdales
“The industry is growing, and there are only going to be more opportunities for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the space sector. For the Spacetrack Operator role in particular, I personally think the most important thing is having an interest in the industry, the ability to learn new things, and letting that shine through in your interview.”
And for any other sci-fi people out there, Lacey’s recommendation for the best show ever is the new Battlestar Galactica.