Two UofG Engineering students join ESA Academy

Published: 11 March 2021

11 March 2021 - Nektarios Chari and Graham Malley selected for the Earth Observation Satellite System Design Training Course

The Program:

Two UofG Engineering students, Nektarios Chari and Graham Malley, were among the 30 selected for the European Space Agency (ESA) Academy Earth Observation Satellite System Design Training Course 2021.

The Online Earth Observation (EO) Satellite System Design Training Course 2021 is an ESA Academy training session designed to provide university students with an introductory overview of the end-to-end design of an EO satellite system.

The project starts from requirements definition based on mission objectives, progressing to orbit trade-offs and design of the payload instruments, followed by the satellite design, ground segment architecture and operations, verification & testing, all the way through to in-orbit testing. The participants are given roles inside a team and work on a joint project for the duration of the program. ESA provides the software needed to carry out this training remotely to make this training program evenly exciting.

Congratulations Nektarios and Graham!

Biographies

Nektarios Chari is a 4th-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Glasgow. He is currently the President of the University's cubesat team, GU Orbit. Before becoming President, Nektarios was the Mechanical Team Leader in GU Orbit where he was in charge of the mechanical design of a drag sail and the cubesat structure. His work so far involves thermal modelling and structural analysis of their first cubesat. His involvement in GU Orbit gives him access to professional experiences such as the ESA Academy Program of 'Earth Observation Satellite System Design' which assist both GU Orbit as well as his own future career.

My name is Graham Malley, I’m originally from Northern Ireland and came to Glasgow for University. I’ve always been into sports such as rugby and judo and have recently enjoyed running and cycling. I’ve always been intrigued by space and this led to my involvement with Glasgow University Orbit Society and undertaking my space-related MEng project. I am excited to be partaking in the ESA training course and hope it leads to more opportunities to deepen my involvement with space engineering.


First published: 11 March 2021