• Question: When did you realise you wanted a career in space?

    Asked by task137jar on 1 Nov 2021.
    • Photo: Dan Healy

      Dan Healy answered on 5 Oct 2021: last edited 5 Oct 2021 4:07 pm


      When I was at primary school, I wanted to be an astronaut. This was no doubt partly inspired by my obsession with the Star Wars films! Before long, I realised that I wasn’t cut out to be an astronaut but I’ve always clung on to the dream of working in space (if not literally!). The thing that thrills me about working in space is that, from space, we can see that our planet is one big global community that we all live in and need to take care of. This is very much part of mine and my team’s jobs – we want to make sure that space technology has a positive impact on people’s lives.

      I studied English Literature at university but this hasn’t stopped me from working in the space sector. I started working as something called a User Experience Designer about 20 years ago and this has led to me managing a team of designers at the Satellite Applications Catapult.

      Don’t think that not studying engineering or even going to university will mean that a career in space is not for you. Space is for everyone. 🙂

    • Photo: Daniel English

      Daniel English answered on 5 Oct 2021:


      This is an easy one for me! For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated with space and have always wanted to be an astronaut. Building and designing things that go into space I suppose is the next best thing until I win the lottery and win a seat on one of Elon Musks or Jeff Bezo’s rockets!

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