Profile

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Natasha Pushkin

    • About Me

      Originally from London, I now live in Bedfordshire with my husband. In my spare time I like to bake.

    • My pronouns are

      She/her

    • My Work

      I am currently working as a Propulsion Engineer for Airbus based in Hertfordshire. I work on the design and analysis of satellite propulsion systems that go into Space ! A propulsion system is kind of like a car engine.

    • Read more

      Last year I worked on the LEOP (launch and early operations phase of Sentinel 6):

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55022567 (news story about Sentinel 6)

      I’ve worked on a range of projects over the years such as:

      • Tele-communcations (those that provide TV and GPS)
      • Earth Observation (Sentinel-6)
      • Science Missions (SOLO – mission to the Sun)

       

    • My Typical Day: My typical day involves mostly working at a computer. We have various software both internal and external (such as MATLAB & MS Excel) that I use to perform analysis and report the results which help design the spacecraft/satellite. I am also involved in sometimes viewing the hardware which is being built in the cleanrooms.

    • Read more

      The analysis performed involves things like :

      • Budgets (how much will the propulsion system weigh? will we have enough fuel?)
      • Performance (how much fuel will we use?)
      • Risk (will the force of the fluid be too high?)
      • Equipment (have we got the right tank or valve?)

      Sometimes I am required to view the hardware to check that things are correct but  I do not build the spacecraft, we have a different department for that.

    Curriculum Vitae

    • Education:

      Valentines High School, Kent University

    • Qualifications:

      GCSEs, 1 AS Level, 3 A Levels (Maths, Chemistry & Physics). MPhys in Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Science with a year in the USA

    • Work History:

      In retail part time

    • Current Job:

      Satellite Propulsion Engineer

    • Employer:

      Airbus

       

      https://www.airbus.com/

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Organised, Friendly, Cat Lover

        What's the best thing you've done in your career?

        Supported a spacecraft LEOP (launch and early operations phase)

        What was your favourite subject at school?

        Science/Physics

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Not really

        What's your favourite food?

        Chocolate

        What is the most fun thing you've done?

        Indoor Skydiving

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