Interview with Sam Juson - Pathway to Space on SpaceMates Online 12th January 2021
Where did it all start? How did you become interested in the space sector?
I would say that my interest in aerospace really came from my interest in aircraft and helicopters from an early age. I remember I did my high school work experience shadowing an RAF helicopter pilot and was lucky enough to get a few flights with him in the Eurocopter Squirrel HT1 from the Defence Helicopter Flying School out of RAF Shawbury back in 2014. From then, I developed a real passion towards flying and really wanted to become a fast jet pilot in the RAF.
Due to this interest, I took up flying lessons from my local airfield when I was 16 and managed to do my first solo flight before the time I got my driving licence! As I was spending so much time at the airfield, I managed to pick up a part time job there where I started off as an Air Traffic Service Assistant in the tower. I continued with this job through college, progressing to an Air Ground Controller after obtaining my Radio Operators Certificate of Competence (ROCC) from the Civil Aviation Authority in 2017 to operate VHF radiotelephony equipment and exchange spoken messages in the aeronautical radio services.
In terms of academics, my strongest subjects when I was younger were maths and physics, which ultimately lead me to study this combination in college as well, as well as psychology, physical education and an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) looking into lift generation and aerofoil characteristics. This ultimately then led me to study my BEng in Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies down in Bristol.
I only really started to specialise in space flight during my final year, choosing to tailor my elective modules towards spacecraft engineering, which gave me valuable experience in simulation exercises on geometric orbit design, mission and spacecraft systems engineering using the Open Cosmos beeApp simulator as well as analysis of radiation dosage on shielding thickness and spacecraft mean body temperature with the STK Space Environment and Effects Tool.
As my personal interests are within space flight and rocket propulsion systems, this led me to do my final year individual project on an exploration of the design of liquid bi-propellent engines, with a practical investigation into the combustion phase using CFD. CFD stands for Computational Fluid Dynamics, and engineers use it to model fluid flow to simulate real life applications. In my case, this was the chemical reaction of various combinations of fuels and oxidisers and see how they effected the performance of the engine, the specific impulse. I then took this on to further, and now studying my MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering at Cranfield University.
Being a student, have you managed to find any relevant work experience within the field?
Luckily, I have. It was thanks to Ray Stott from SpaceSpecialists and SpaceMates Online that I managed to be introduced to Joseph Ward who is the CEO and director of propulsion at Smallspark Space Systems. This gave me the chance to build initial contact with him, ask him questions about the companies aims and objectives, as well as the technology they were building. I later applied to one of the SPIN internships that his company was offering, in association with the UK Space Agency, and fortunately the application process went well, and I was accepted onto the programme last Summer for around 3 months.
Smallspark are a UK based Aerospace and Artificial Intelligence research company based in Cardiff, who are developing low cost rocket propulsion systems (https://smallspark.space/). They have also created a software called MooreAI, which allows for the development of high performance, situation specific aerostructures that can be implemented for a variety of applications for aerodynamic optimisation (https://www.mooreai.co.uk/). My main responsibilities were to investigate the effects of various Hybrid Rocket Engine injector designs and develop a method that computationally analysed their performance for optimising the atomisation, combustion properties and mixing of the propellants within OpenFOAM.
Also, I managed to secure a part time role during my master’s studies at Asteria: Space and Satellites as an Orbital Engineer. Asteria are a student group at the University of Edinburgh dedicated to the development of Oracle 1; a 3U CubeSat designed for remote sensing of the Earth using hyperspectral imaging which will be pursuing a scientific mission to help track mosquito-borne diseases (http://www.asteria-space.com/). My role an orbital engineer is to basically model the trajectory of the satellite using simulation software like GMAT. I also try and get involved with various other projects within the space sector, for example the work I am doing with 4WardFutures and the Constructing a Life on Mars (CaLoM) project (https://www.calom.space/about).
What advice would you give student who want to undergraduate students in terms of developing their technical and soft skills?
Building relevant technical skills throughout university and through work experience are essential when entering the aerospace industry. These skills include; programming and coding, computer programming languages such as Python, C++, C and Java are useful for systems engineering and software development, but not essential in certain areas of aerospace. Programmes like MATLAB and Simulink are also a very beneficial tool that would be useful to learn. Having a strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving mindset is essential for any engineer, as well as having a creative outlook and being an innovative thinker. Having specific attention to detail and a strong awareness of safety and environmental issues is also crucial within the design process, especially regarding future considerations with the UK’s 2050 net zero target.
As well as technical skills, employers also want to know that the applicant has developed a wide range of transferable soft skills, such as project and time management. Communication skills, both verbally and written, are very important in the world of work, and these skills can be drastically improved through university whilst report writing and oral presentations. I thoroughly recommend making the most of these opportunities and seek help to improve in any ways that you can, it is the perfect time to practice and perfect these skills! The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines is also something that is very important to employees.
One major benefit from doing an Aerospace degree is the affiliation with certain engineering organisations such as the Royal Aeronautical Society with student memberships. These offer vast opportunities for networking with professionals in senior positions within the aerospace sector, attending external webinars and conferences to broaden aerospace knowledge, and a chance to connect with certain mentors who can provide advice and guidance on all engineering aspects. They can help with careers advice, give tips on interview preparation and opportunities that you can get involved with, and provide professional development in terms of becoming Chartered. It also shows that you have a commitment to keeping up to date technical developments and have a good interest in new advancements within the industry, so make the most of these opportunities!
Could you give a brief overview of what CranSEDS is, and the projects you are involved in?
If you didn’t think I was busy enough, I am also Co-President at CranSEDS! CranSEDS is Cranfield Universities society for space exploration and development and is a local chapter of UK SEDS. We are made up of around 100 enthusiastic students from a range of technical backgrounds, from Aerospace Vehicle Design, Thermal Power, Robotics, all with the primary focus of developing space technologies.
Currently we currently have teams who are entered into 2 rocketry competitions, the UK National Rocketry Championship where we are required to design and build a rocket to reach the highest apogee possible using any 29mm Cessaroni 2-grain motor with a required payload. We are also entering the international European Rocketry Competition (EuRoC), where our mission is to launch a rocket carrying a 4kg payload at a precise altitude of 10,000 ft above Portugal before getting safely recovered with a series of parachutes. We also have teams who are competing in the Olympus Rover Trials, where we need to design, construct and operate a rover for a habitat construction mission on Mars to a set of real space mission requirements. Finally, we have entered the UKSEDS Satellite Design Competition, where again we must design, construct and operate a 3U CubeSat payload system with the objective to acquire as much information from an analogue lunar nanosatellite mission. We also have a research division who are looking at improving Cranfield’s current Hybrid Rocket Engine and build a suitable test stand to lay the foundations to create a competitive rocketry team at an international level.
As well as competitions, we are also planning some sort of STEM outreach and engagement programme to deliver virtually to the local children in the schools of the Bedfordshire area. This will probably involve some sort of interactive rocket building workshop supported by some theoretical sessions to actively encourage children’s involvement in STEM activities. We are also planning to organise and deliver 'The Space of Tomorrow: From Vostok to Artemis' UK Space Day conference where we will get a diverse panel of experts to give talks about their experiences within the space industry, and how they think this has shaped the future of space technology and exploration.
Cranfield’s Astronautics and Space Engineering MSc
Personally, I have found that the Astronautics and Space Engineering has given me all the relevant opportunities to study the things I have been passionate about for the last few years. It was the perfect course that allowed me to really investigate the specific topics I was interested in and specialise within this field. Cranfield itself is very prestigious when it comes to research output, in particularly related to the aerospace sector. This, as well as world class facilities and its own airfield! I think the core modules of the course provide the fundamental understanding for any aspiring space engineer, and the vast choice of electives allow you to specialise in any area you are interested in.
Personally, I enrolled in the Mathematics and Programming for Trajectory Design and Spacecraft Dynamics and Control modules, but there really are many possibilities to explore. Also, the standard that the taught modules are delivered is very refreshing, and every academic staff really is an expert in their field. Their support, guidance and perseverance throughout the Covid pandemic has been inspirational! It provides students with the necessary challenge and experience so that they are ready to enter the space industry and continue working on the future technical developments of space engineering.
Due to my academic modules and work experience, my main interests now are rocket propulsion and mission analysis. I am currently doing a Group Design Project where we are designing a Debris Scavenger Spacecraft that will be implemented in the GEO region to help mitigate the increase in space debris. I am on the mission analysis team for that, and it’s great that I can take what I have learned from my part time work at Asteria and apply it to my university work and vis versa. This is also the case in my space propulsion module, where I learned a lot of the fundamental principles of hybrid engines and the theory behind different systems of rocket which has really helped me out during my MSc.
What are your personal future career goals and aspirations?
Personally, I just want space to be a part of my daily routine. Hopefully I am lucky enough to be able to find a job where I can put the skills I have learnt and developed throughout university into practise and help work towards the future of space flight. A personal goal of mine would be working for an organisation such as ESA, I think that would be the pinnacle of my space journey! But for the mean time, I think I will just have to be patient, and continue to work on the opportunities that I am involved with now.
Testimonial
I wanted to take the time to thank Ray Stott for all the support and guidance he has given to me over the last few months. He truly does live by the philosophy of giving back, and using his experiences to help and better others, which SpaceSpecialists integrate into their daily work.
The network connections he has enabled me with has opened so many exciting opportunities for me to establish myself within the space sector. From helping me secure my first industrial internship, providing guest talks to CranSEDS, offering his services to improve my CV and professional online profile, promoting me on his company website, connecting me to likeminded space professionals, to just general great life advice.
I wish there was a way I could repay him for the great things he has done for me, but the least I can do is spread the word of how much I would recommend Ray Stott, SpaceMates Online and all the services SpaceSpecialists offer!
Comments and feedback
I personally wanted to thank everyone who attended the talk, and took an interest in my journey and early career. Here are just a few of the comments that left a smile on my face for the rest of the day:
Louise Johnson – Executive Coach and Business Consultant: ‘Your story is so interesting Sam, your determination is inspirational - well done and all the best for your future in the space sector.’
Louise Pode – Director and Aerospace Coach for ProAbility Ltd: ‘What a great journey Sam - thank you for sharing. So interesting to hear how you transmitted from aviation to space. I love your passion - good luck!’
Amir Kerimi – Aircraft Propulsion Engineer: ‘Thank you for the great presentation Sam! Really inspirational!’
Arno Den Toom – Astrobiologist: ‘Thank you Sam, fantastic start in your career 🙂 Great to see such passion!’
