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Chosen career:
Ground Software
Interests:
Computing
Skills:
CommittedCreativeLogical
Description
Ground software engineers work on making programs that operate the spacecraft and organise how it will send and receive information to and from Earth. This includes software used for launch preparations, such as fuel loading, the launch tower and automatic abort systems in case the computer on the spacecraft detects something wrong by itself.
Routes
A STEM degree is usually required. Examples of your own coding projects will be very useful.
Example UK Employers
Spaceport Cornwall
Key Stage 2 Curriculum Links
Science
Earth and space: Ground software engineers know about the Earth and its rotation to measure when a rocket is out of range and needs to abort.
Forces: Ground software engineers know about the forces that will be experienced by a rocket as it is fuelled and launched.
Electricity: Ground software engineers know about electricity and the signals that need to be sent during launch preparations.
Other
Computing: Ground software engineers write the software for the ground systems.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Links
Physics
Motion and forces: Ground software engineers know about forces exerted on ground equipment, e.g. during fuelling and how to mitigate for them.
Electricity and electromagnetism: Ground software engineers know about electricity and the signals to be sent during launch preparations.
Matter (inc Space physics): Ground software engineers know about phase changes and how these may affect the spacecraft, e.g. cryogenic fuels evaporating.
Other
Computing: Ground software engineers write the software for the ground systems.
What do you want to be?
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I’m
Committed, Creative and Logical, so could work in Ground Software. I’m a #spaceperson. https://www.spaceperson.co.uk
