Students And Young Professionals Program
SpaceOps committee, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) organize and offer “Students and Young Professionals (SYP)” program as a part of SpaceOps 2023 Conference program. Please explore the SYP activities shown below and feel free to register in any or all of the activities. Kindly note that the seats are limited and the applications will be evaluated by the event organizing committee and candidates will be notified via e-mail on the outcome.
Organized & Offered By
Organizers
Charlotte Flory is a Spacecraft Operations Engineer with more than 6 years of experience in this field. Currently working for Eutelsat, she supports the preparation of Operations for new telecommunication satellites and is part of the team managing the day-to-day operations of the fleet.
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Chiara Cocchiara is a female Aerospace Engineer with more than 10 years of experience in the Space Sector. Forbes listed her as 30Under30 Leader in the category Industry. In the Space Community, she received the IAF Young Space Leaders award, and Space & Satellite Professionals International – SSPI Promise Award. Her design of a new drone technology to help saving human lives by using the Space infrastructure was recognized by the MIT Innovator Under35 and the ESNC Prizes.
In her full time job, she is a System Operations Engineer at EUMETSAT, where she supports the preparation of future Earth Observation Space Missions (EPS-SG) to monitor weather and climate.
Pushed by her dreams of becoming an astronaut, Chiara played the roles of Crew Commander (rotation) and Crew Engineer of a Mars Analogue mission with the Mars Society and experiments from NASA.
She volunteers for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) since 2015 and she currently covers the role of SpaceOps Manager. She is part of the SpaceOps Committee, where she leads the SpaceOps Students and Young Professionals (SYP) program.
She speaks five languages, has one Bachelor and three Master degrees in Aerospace Engineering, and completed her education with an MBA.
Ms. Young Lee is the Advanced Design Engineering Technical Group Supervisor and Project Support Lead in the Project Systems Engineering and Formulation Section in Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Over the last fifteen years, she has held many diverse leadership positions in NASA programs and projects, establishing strategic and collaborative working relationships across many organizations within NASA, including its domestic and international partners. Moreover, she has over twenty years of experience in the development and deployment of operations systems for deep space missions, focusing on operations cost reduction, user-productivity improvements and increased information throughput to support many NASA’s deep space missions. She has served on the International SpaceOps Committee since 2014. She has a M.S. in Management of Information Systems from Claremont Graduate University in California.
Ms. Gladys Magagula is the Projects Manager at the South African National Space Agency’s Space Operations directorate which is situated at Hartebeesthoek. Over the past 19 years, she has worked for a diverse range of organizations and held various positions including Software Developer, Satellite Mission Control Specialist Science Communicator, etc.
Saeed Al Mansoori is the director of remote sensing department at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC). He has received B.Sc. degree in Communication Engineering from Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR), Sharjah, UAE in 2010 and the M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering from American University of Sharjah (AUS) in 2016. Saeed’s research interests are in the area of image processing (super-resolution, watermarking, object detection and image classification). He is the member of the international society of optics and photonics and one of the program committee in High-Performance Computing in Remote Sensing since 2012.
Space Operations for Constellation of CubeSat/Nanosatellite
Workshop
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Date : 5th March 2023 -
Time: 09:00 – 16:00 -
Location: Sharjah-D, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) -
Registration Cost: Free
Do you want to learn how to carry out space operations for Constellation of CubeSats/Nanosatellites? Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) is collaborating with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to host the workshop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It will be held in conjunction to the SpaceOps 2023 conference. During this one day event, students and young professionals will have the opportunity to learn about different approaches to space operations as well as to hear about international peers working on cubesat/nanosatellite constellations projects.
During this workshop, participants from around the world will learn about the different philosophies behind cubesat/nanosatellite operations. Two Participants or group of participants will also have the opportunity to showcase their project.
After the lectures by each representative, all participants will have a chance to engage in discussions via a panel discussion.
The workshop is open to students and young professionals. If you aspire to work for a company, an international space agency, or if you are interested in starting your own satellite operations company, then this one day workshop is a great opportunity to learn about the challenges and excitement of space operations.
Agenda Outline
| Time | Agenda | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Registration Check-in | Registration Required (no fee) |
| 09:15 | Welcome | SGAC Workshop- Chair : Chiara Cocchiara |
| Welcome message : Fatima Ahmed Al Marzouqi (MBRSC) | ||
| Welcome message : Viqar Abbasi (CSA) | ||
| 09:45 | Participant Introduction | Ice Breaker |
| 10:15 | SYP Presentations | “SolSat: A Low-Cost 3-U CubeSat System for Space Weather applications” – Yousuf Mohammed Faroukh |
| “Sharjah-Sat-1 mission objectives and overview” – Mohammed Bin Ashour | ||
| “Overview of AlainSat-1: an international student collaboration space mission” – Hassan Al-Ali and Abdullah AlSalmani | ||
| 11:30 | Lunch | |
| 13:00 | Technical Presentations | “Design and Development of a CubeSat-scale Robotic Arm Test Bed to be Deployed to the International Space Station” – Jin S. Kang Ph.D, Associate professor in Aerospace Engineering Department (USNA) |
| “Ressources/Services/Demands relationship on. a federated cubesat constellation system operation perspective.” – Carlos Gomes Batista, Space Systems Engineer | ||
| “Italian first deep space missions to the Moon and beyond: ArgoMoon and LICIACube” – Simone Pirrotta Ph.D, Head of the Robotic Exploration Office (ASI) | ||
| 14:30 | Coffee Break & Group Photo | |
| 14:45 | Panel Discussion | Panelists: |
| Mohammed Bin Ashour, – Sharjah University | ||
| Simone Pirrotta Ph.D, Head of the Robotic Exploration Office (ASI) | ||
| Maryam Obaid Al Nabooda, Communication Unit, Space Engineering Department, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) | ||
| Moderator : | ||
| Ahmed Abdulla Alshehhi, Senior Engineer – Space Payload & Instruments Section, Space Engineering Department, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) | ||
| 15:45 | Closing Remarks | SGAC Workshop Co-Chair : Charlotte Flory |
| 17:00 | Technical Tour to MBRSC | |
Seats are limited. Applications will be evaluated by the event Organising Committee and candidates will be notified via email on the outcome. Apply ASAP!
Organisers and Contacts
Technical Tour
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Date : 5th March 2023 -
Time: 17:00 – 19:00 -
Location: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) -
Registration Cost: Free
We are pleased to offer SYP with a technical tour to Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) on Sunday, March 5, 2023. MBRSC is a scientific centre specialising in space science and advanced technology contributing to the establishment of the space sector in the UAE and humankind’s quest for the planets and beyond.
Seats are limited. Applications will be evaluated by the event Organising Committee and candidates will be notified via email on the outcome. Apply ASAP!
Organisers and Contacts
Opportunities for Women in Space Operations
- Date : 7th March 2023
- Time: 18:15 – 19:15
- Location: Sheikh Maktoum Hall B, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
- Registration Cost: Free
This one-hour event will host a panel discussion carried out by inspiring women working in space operations, representing agencies from all over the world. “Opportunities for women in Space Operations” will be the theme of this panel discussion.
Seats are limited. Applications will be evaluated by the event Organising Committee and candidates will be notified via email on the outcome. Apply ASAP!
The Moderator
Isi Casas Del Valle P.
Regional Coordinator – South America SPACE GENERATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (SGAC)
Isi is a highly qualified and experienced Space Lawyer and space outreach, communications & PR consultant. She has a keen interest in space and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law, a Minor in Science, a Postgraduate degree in Air and Space Law, and a Master’s of Science in Entrepreneurial Management. Isi is an alumni of the SHSSP18, a lecturer in Public International Law at Universidad de los Andes, a guest lecturer and CAPCOM at multiple space studies programs of the International Space University, and a guest lecturer of negotiations skills and air and space law in various universities from around the world.
She is also the Community Manager at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), South America Regional Coordinator at Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), and the first Chilean and one of the first South Americans to be awarded the Emerging Space Leader recognition by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). Additionally, Isi has been awarded the IAC Young Professionals Scholarship (2018) and Ray Williamson Future Fund Scholarship (2017), both by the Secure World Foundation, as well as multiple Highest Academic Achievement scholarship and recognition diplomas during her Law studies at Universidad de los Andes.
The Panelists
Suzanne Dodd
Suzanne Dodd is the JPL Director for the Interplanetary Network Directorate. She has over 30 years of experience in spacecraft operations, including project manager roles on the Voyager Interstellar Mission, the Spitzer Space Telescope, and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array. Most recently she lead the Operational Missions Office of the Astronomy, Physics & Space Technology Directorate. Suzanne worked at Caltech for 11 years as the Spitzer Space Telescope Science Center Manager and the Manager of the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, NASA’s multi-mission center of expertise for long-wavelength astrophysics. Suzanne as also worked in the area of mission planning and uplink on the Cassini Mission to Saturn, the Mars Observer Project, and the Voyager Uranus and Neptune Missions.
Suzanne has a BS degree in Engineering and Applied Science from Caltech, a BA degree in Math/Physics from Whitman College, and a MS degree from the University of Southern California in Aerospace Engineering. She is the recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Public Service Medal, NASA Silver Achievement Medal and NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.
Dr. Sara AlMaeeni
Dr. Sara AlMaeeni heads the RF communication team and is a project scientist of the Emirates Lunar Mission (ELM). She joined the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in 2016 and worked as an expert in space communications. She worked on improving existing space technologies and developed new satellite equipment and products and collaborated with external research and development institutes to disseminate knowledge in the UAE.
Dr. Sara received her PhD from Khalifa University in Communications Engineering. For her dissertation, she contributed with a novel mathematical framework for the error rate in cooperative communications. She is also a committee member of different international technical conferences. Her research interests are in lunar exploration, space communications, and satellite image processing.
Zeina Mounzer
Zeina began her career in Aerospace Engineering and Mission Analysis, but after working on a number of exciting missions, she felt the need to explore the corporate side of the Operations world. She eventually became the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Telespazio Germany, a business that is passionate about Operations.
Zeina quickly became fascinated with Spacecraft Operations and felt inspired to further her career in the field. She has since been working to build strong relationships with customers and to bring innovative solutions to the industry. Zeina is committed to providing the highest quality of service and continues to be an advocate for the advancement of Spacecraft Operations.
Organisers and Contacts
Speed Mentoring
- Date : 7th March 2023
- Time: 20:00 – 21:30
- Location: Sheikh Maktoum Hall C, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
- Registration Cost: Free
The Speed Mentoring Event is a great chance to kick-start connections that build over time, create chance meetings and to meet with students, early stage professionals, experienced mentors and even possibly a future employer in the space operations industry. Share a table with top managers and experts to ask questions, seek advice, and learn more about their personal experiences which shaped their professional careers.
This event is energizing for both students and young space professionals as well as the senior mentors, providing both groups with a unique networking opportunity.
How it Works
Seats are limited. Applications will be evaluated by the event Organising Committee and candidates will be notified via email on the outcome. Apply ASAP!
Our Mentors
Ahmed Salem Belal
MBRSC
Ahmed Salem is an expert at Space Robotics Lab, MBRSC. He started as a research assistance involved in DubaiSat-1 in 2008 (UAE’s First Earth observing Satellite). He worked on several engineering disciplines in MBRSC involving developing Electronics boards such as onboard computers and Telemetry and Telecommand Encode/decoder, FPGA chips development, Software Development for Debugging, spacecraft AIT (Assembly, integration & Test), Radio Analysis, Develop analysis tools and software to help in trouble shooting Subsystems and Spacecrafts and many more fields across Satellites developments. Developed Command & Data Handling for DubaiSat-2, KhalifaSat and MBZSAT (Earth Observing missions). He worked on C&DH for Mars Mission. Headed digital system Units, then Headed Satellite Electronic Section, then becoming the first System Engineer in MBRSC. He worked on Rashid-1 Rover UAE’s First Lunar Mission.
Alexi Glover
ESA
Alexi Glover leads space weather service development and coordination activities as part of the European Space Agency’s Space Safety Programme. She has a PhD in solar physics and has worked in the area of transitioning research results into space weather applications and services since 2001. She is currently responsible for a diverse network of more than 50 institutes, academic groups and industrial entities who collaborate in order to deliver high quality space weather information to more than 3000 end users. Alexi is the SpaceOps topic co-chair for Safety and Sustainability of Space Operations. She is also an active member of the COSPAR community through the panel on space weather and panel on capacity building.
Christophe Belzile
CSA
Christophe Belzile is a Satellite Operations Engineer with 20 years of experience. He began his career at Neptec, a small company that produces systems for space robotics operations, providing space operations support and on-vehicle testing. For the next 10 years, he was responsible for training astronauts, cosmonauts and flight controllers on the International Space Station (ISS) robotics systems. In the next phase of his career, he worked on assembly, integration and testing of Radarsat Constellation Mission and participated in the launch and early operation phase of the satellite constellation. He was a member of the team that operates Radarsat Constellation Mission for three years. He now does project management for new missions in the satellite operations group.Mr. Belzile’s pastimes includes photography, cycling and skiing.
Eugene Avenant
SANSA
Eugene Avenant holds the position of Chief Engineer at the South African National Space Agency’s Space Operations unit. He has been with SANSA since its inception in 2011 and before that at SANSA SO’s precursor The Satellite Applications Centre a centre of the CSIR. His responsibilities include the upgrade and establishment of new TT&C, Image download stations and other satellite monitoring systems. He has also been involved in development of a GNSS augmentation system for South Africa leading from projects with the European Commission in their Frame Programmes 6 and 7 and the UK Space Agency Industrial Participation Support Programme. Additionally, he is involved in several working groups around space strategy for government departments and leads a team in SANSA that is producing the feasibility study for the Space Infrastructure Hub, a national strategic infrastructure project that aims to build infrastructure that will support a space value chain to address the needs of the country and region through space technology in a sustainable way.
Eugene was the TPC Chair for the SpaceOps2020-21 Conference and Co-Chair for both the SpaceOps2018 and SpaceOps2023 conferences.
Jillian Redfern
SwRI
Jillian Redfern is a Senior Program Manager at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the Manager of the Mission Operations section at SwRI in Boulder Colorado. She has managed the operations team of the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation since launch in 2016. Jillian is the Ground System Lead for PUNCH, a constellation of 4 satellites which will launch in 2025. She has worked on many different missions: New Horizons, Juno, TWINS, IBEX, IMAGE, UARS, and SORCE since she entered the aerospace industry in 1999. She has a BS in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), based in San Antonio, Texas, is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical science research and development organization with over 3000 employees. The Solar System Science & Exploration Division’s goals are excellence in space research and the expansion and deepening of SwRI’s space research efforts.
Maria Th. Wörle
DLR
Maria Th. Wörle is the deputy head of the Mission Planning group within the Mission Technology department at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) of DLR (German Aerospace Center). She holds a diploma in Mathematics and started at GSOC as a software engineer in 2010. She still supports the development and maintenance of the generic planning and scheduling tool portfolio as well as the compound project-specific planning systems for various missions, e.g. TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X or EnMAP for Earth observation, or EDRS for link management of the geostationary communication platforms, but in the meantime is mainly engaged in the group management as well as the acquisition and ground segment design of new missions. Furthermore, Maria participates in the standardization activities of the CCSDS MO MP&S working group. Within SpaceOps, she supports the Technical Program Committee.
Simone Pirrotta
ASI
Simone Pirrotta, he joined Italian Space Agency in 2007 and he is currently the head of the Robotic Exploration Office. He was in charge of the technical management of Italian instruments, including the ones of ESA “ExoMars”, for which is the Deputy Italian Delegate at the ESA Rover Instrument Steering Committee. In the period 2012-2017, he also acted as ASI Manager of the Broglio Space Center, the ASI Ground Segment site located in Kenya Recently, Simone acted as Project Manager for several ASI missions, mainly based on small satellites: among them “IKUNS” selected by United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to be released from Kibo ISS module in 2017; and of the HERMES cubesat constellation.
During the 2022, he led the ASI missions: “LARES2” successfully launched in July 2022 on board of the ESA VegaC at its maiden flight “ArgoMoon” that participated in November 2022 in the NASA Artemis1 mission. “LICIACube”, the Italian Cubesat for Imaging of Asteroids that took part in the NASA “DART” mission, impacting Dimorphos asteroid in September 2022 and verifying the capabilities of active Planetary Defense. He is Italian Delegate at the ESA Exploration and Utilization Board and at the International Space Exploration Coordination Group – ISECG, he also is the International Principal Investigator for the NASA SSERVI – ASI Associate partnership.Organisers and Contacts
Please explore this great opportunity to engage and enjoy unique networking experience with SYP and SpaceOps professionals throughout the SpaceOps 2023 Conference.
To attend this SYP program, please follow the registration process on the SGAC website. This SYP program is free of charge and open to students and young professionals.
About SpaceOps
Since the inception of SpaceOps in 1990, the organization has hosted fifteen biennial conferences in various countries around the world.
About MBRSC
MBRSC is an advanced scientific and technological hub, responsible for making the UAE a world leader in space services and exploration.