Q: How long have you been at Teledyne and what is your role there?
A: I'm a project manager for Teledyne Space Imaging and have been doing the job for just under a year. I’ve been working on multiple projects, including our infrared detector and front-end-electronics that we are supplying to the UK-led climate change TRUTHS mission. My day-to-day role involves managing the different stakeholders and milestones for these projects, making sure that our work remains on track and progressing to schedule and cost.
Q: Tell us more about the TRUTHS mission and Teledyne Space Imaging’s involvement in it.
A: TRUTHS stands for Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial and Helio Studies. Its aim is to create an SI-traceable space climate and calibration observation system to help inform and raise confidence in climate change forecasting.
The European Space Agency contracted Airbus Defence and Space, here in the UK, to prepare critical technologies for TRUTHS ahead of its launch. We worked on the infrared detector, designing and manufacturing elements for its ultra-violet to short wave spectral range, along with associated electronics and cabling.
It has been an extremely exciting and rewarding project for everyone involved. Not only were we awarded the contract to work on the detector, but we will also be providing the front-end electronics. Involvement like this on such a large mission is a first, not only for Teledyne, but also for the UK space industry.
Q: You have been invited to talk about your involvement in TRUTHS as a panellist at the forthcoming Protect our Planet Day (POP23) at the end of November. What is POP23 all about?
A: Protect our Planet 2023, or POP23, is a live-streamed event aimed at schools and organised by the UK Space Education Office (ESERO-UK) at STEM Learning, working in collaboration with the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency. It takes place on Thursday 30 November 2023. Schools can join us for free talks, workshops, and other online events throughout the day to hear from world-leading experts and researchers who are passionate about protecting the planet, both down here on Earth and from space.
Subjects will range from learning how satellites monitor, model and predict climate change to protect our planet’s delicate ecosystems to finding out more about working in the space industry and how to make a difference themselves. Last year, POP22 attracted more than 100,000 people, and I am greatly looking forward to taking part in it next month on behalf of Teledyne Space Imaging.
Q: How did you get involved?
The UK Space Agency asked for volunteers from the teams working on TRUTHS. I provided a summary about my work at Teledyne Space Imaging, my background in engineering and my interest in sustainability, tackling climate change and working in ‘green space.’ As a result of that, I was invited to join a panel as a speaker to talk about our work with the TRUTHS mission.
Q: What is your own background in ‘green space’ and working sustainably?
A: I'm a mechanical engineer by trade. I started as an apprentice when I was 16 and worked my way up, working for several different companies, both large and small. More recently, I've become involved with start-up companies with a focus on green working and sustainability. For example, I have worked on the electrification of trucks – taking diesel powered 7.5 tonne trucks and turning them into hybrid electric vehicles.
Another project that I worked on was with an augmented reality start-up company that was committed to reducing waste and lowering carbon emissions in the construction industry. All of this has fuelled my interest in sustainable working and helped me bring my ideas and passion to Teledyne Space Imaging.
Q: What is the next stage for Teledyne and the TRUTHS mission?
A: We are looking to start the next phase of the project with Airbus in November. This will involve designing and building prototypes to test the infrared detector and front-end electronics. It’s going to be a huge learning curve, both for me and for Teledyne, but also an interesting challenge. After this phase is complete, we will move on to implementation and more procurement for the next stages.
Q: Where can people find out more about POP23?
Visit the website https://www.stem.org.uk/Enrichment/protecting-our-planet, which gives more information about the topics being covered. You can also register your interest in the event there for free.
