University of Bristol alumnus Will Booth, graduated in an MEng in Aerospace Engineering in 2022 and is now working for Airbus Defence and Space. We recently caught up with Will, to hear about his journey from graduating to working in the space industry.
Hi I’m Will,
As I reflect on my journey from the University of Bristol to my current role at Airbus Defence and Space, I appreciate how important my time at university was in shaping my career in the space industry. The exposure I gained during my studies, particularly through my fourth-year group design project (AVDASI4) and my third-year independent research project, simulating reusable launch vehicle landings, solidified my passion for working in the space sector. Through these projects, I discovered my love for complex spacecraft design and developed key contacts at Airbus, which would prove invaluable later on.
Gaining experience
Immediately after my final exam, I went to the US to work at a summer camp where I previously spent a summer pre-Covid. As a lifeguard, head of boating activities, and lead counselor. While the role was demanding, it offered a different type of challenge compared to university and vastly different to a role in the engineering industry. Working with an international group of young staff members, and helping children from various backgrounds, honed my communication and leadership skills. Spending my summer surrounded by the pine forests and lakes of Maine, away from the demands of technology, was refreshing and gave me a new perspective on interpersonal skills and teamwork.
Returning to the UK after a great summer, I began the daunting task of job hunting. Many applications went unanswered, and I faced rejections along the way. It was a tough period, but perseverance was key. To stay productive, I worked jobs at Magnetic Shields Ltd. as a research technician and at Go Ape, though I always knew these were temporary positions as I attempted to find an engineering role in the aerospace and space industries.
Starting a career in the Space Industry
In December 2022, I secured my first professional role in the space industry as a Payload Systems Engineer at Astroscale UK. Working on world-leading space debris removal technology was a thrilling experience. I was primarily involved in payload testing and simulation, including a contact dynamics test campaign, where we characterized the dynamic properties of a novel capture system. Working on the payload gave me an appreciation for the complexity of spacecraft systems and accelerated my understanding of the space industry and the activities required to get a spacecraft to a flight-ready state.
After completing my role at Astroscale in July 2023, I decided to spend three months traveling across Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. Exploring new countries and cultures as well as taking the opportunity to practice one of my hobbies (photography) gave me time to reflect on my career path whilst having amazing experiences and gaining some new operational skills such as scuba diving.
In September 2023, I joined Airbus Defence and Space as a Graduate Future Programmes Engineer. My first assignment was attitude modelling for the EnVision mission bid—a planned mission to Venus. This allowed me to immerse myself in the technical challenges of interplanetary missions.
Following that, I moved to the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) team, working on planetary rovers. I’ve had the opportunity to develop mission analysis tools for planning future lunar missions as well as participating in field trials. Field trials allow us to test autonomous driving algorithms and rover technology in real-world environments. These trials have been one of the most rewarding parts of my career so far, showcasing the impact of collaborative work with international partners.
Looking back, the journey from university to full-time work has been filled with both challenges and opportunities. The space industry is constantly evolving, and I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of it. My time at the University of Bristol laid the foundation for the work I do now, and I’m excited to see what the future holds!
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