• Question: How did you get to become the oporation manager ?

    Asked by Willow_nasa to Laurence on 8 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Laurence O'Rourke

      Laurence O'Rourke answered on 8 Mar 2016:

      Hi Willow_nasa, to become a manager within ESA takes quite some time. In my case, I’ve worked on 5 different satellite missions over the years gaining experience in how to build and test satellites as well as how to “operate” (keep them working) satellites when they are released by the rocket into space.

      When it comes to management roles in ESA, normally you have to have demonstrated that you have the expert knowledge and that you can work with a team. Being a team player (as it is called) is a necessity for being a manager.

      For Rosetta, I’m science operations manager. On Herschel, the satellite I worked on while Rosetta was sleeping, I was a deputy operations manager.
      Hope this answer helps. If you want more details just let me know.

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