The latest webinar features case studies from RAL Space, the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to space science development, satellite engineering, mission operations and data analytics.
About RAL Space:
As the UK’s national space science and technology laboratory, RAL Space is based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire. RAL Space is a key part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and plays a central role in UK Research and Innovation.
From construction to satellite testing, engineering and research – their experts work across the entire lifecycle of space missions, from conceptual research and equipment development to testing, ground station operations and data analysis.
Webinar Resources
The conference has kindly allowed us to share our presentation materials. The conference recording on Vimeo and the slides on Slideshare will be available in our APM resources section soon and are also embedded below for reference.
The Council is reviewing questions submitted during the broadcast, and answers will be added as an additional resource soon.
This webinar content is suitable for professionals with any level of knowledge of the project profession.
Speaker
Zoe Snelling, Mike Shepherd, Johnny Hope-Smith, Elise Allthorpe-Mullis and Ryan Garrattley
Hosted by
Mark Heelis, Deputy Chief Volunteer of the APM International Space Concern Network
Zoe Snelling, Head of Portfolio, RAL Space
Zoe joined RAL Space in 2024 as Portfolio Manager.
She began her career as a spacecraft operations engineer, controlling the NATO IV and Skynet 4 and 5 satellite fleets, before moving into project management, where she provided RF and electronics hardware support for major projects, including the Sentinel 3, Alphasat, and SWIM spacecraft.
With extensive experience managing programs across the defense, automotive, and aerospace sectors, Zoe brings a wealth of collaborative project delivery expertise. Her most recent role before joining RAL Space was as program lead for a propulsion systems manufacturer, where she oversaw the successful delivery of the main engines for the Mars Sample Return mission.
As a full member of the Project Management Association, Zoe is passionate about driving a dynamic and efficient approach to RAL Space’s project portfolio. She is committed to ensuring strategic decisions are consistent and transparent, while aligning teams across the organisation towards common goals.
Mike Shepherd, Licensed Engineer
I always wanted to be an aerospace engineer, but my first real job was testing armored vehicles. I stayed as a test engineer and eventually got a job at Matra Marconi Space in Portsmouth. After a few years, I took a 3 month sabbatical to be a project manager for the Raleigh International expedition to southern Chile, and then moved to satellite engineering. I worked on some interesting projects, and when I became a Principal Engineer, I took on quite a bit of management.
Eventually, I went on a contract and came to RAL Space when the scientific instrument project I was in charge of as Technical Manager was being renewed. At a “welcome meeting,” I saw a sign for the National Satellite Test Facility and asked what they were doing. Next thing I knew, I was the project manager for the dynamic test instrument. That role grew, and then they needed people to manage the test campaigns.
Johnny Hope-Smith, Project Manager, National Satellite Test Facility
I didn’t originally intend to be a project manager – or even pursue engineering. I got into Population Science at Southampton on a scholarship, mainly because my best friend was going and it was the most interesting course available! After university, I took a job at a small engineering company to help me travel, and surprisingly found I loved it. I stayed on after my return, eventually moving to Wiltshire. There I spent a decade working with physical property analyzers – first in sales, then in design – while completing my HNC, HND, and finally my BEng through the Open University. Eventually, I became an Engineering Manager, overseeing product lines and integrated sampling systems for refineries.
Looking for a new challenge, I joined Wood Group in Reading as a Senior Project Engineer, a junior project manager, managing allocated engineering design teams and scopes of work on major multi-million dollar oil and gas projects. After eight years and five major programs, COVID hit, the project was cancelled and I was made redundant. By this time, I had completed my MSc in Engineering Management at Brunel and also passed the APMP exam.
From there, I took the opportunity to move into science and the public sector, joining STFC to support the UK’s £165 million contribution to the European Spallation Source. As this contribution neared completion, I moved to RAL Space, where I now manage the hardware testing programmes and support the bid for the National Satellite Test Facility.
Elise Allthorpe-Mullis, Project Management Team Leader
I had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated from college with a Masters in Astrophysics. I started a PhD (big mistake!) but realized that while research wasn’t for me, I still enjoyed tutoring undergraduates and doing outreach, so I got a job as a science communicator, spending time with kids talking about dinosaurs, space, and climate change. That job was amazing and I worked at the Science Museum in London, developing contemporary science exhibitions on everything from 3D printing, pain relief, psychology and engineering. It was while working on an engineering exhibition that I met some engineers in the space sector and decided that I wanted to work on these amazing missions, so I did a Masters in Space Science and Technology at UCL.
I applied for a postgraduate programme at RAL Space, intending to pursue systems engineering or project management. I eventually chose project management because I have always been organised and enjoy working with people and teams. I spent two years of my postgraduate programme, working on managing a project worth over £5 million to test equipment for ESA’s Sentinel 5 mission. Wanting to experience the private sector, I went to Scotland to manage CubeSat projects at AAC Clydespace, which was a great experience. But when RAL Space contacted me during COVID to offer to return to remote working, I decided I missed the focused science and research environment of RAL Space and returned.
Since returning, I have managed a number of projects: MWS – developing the testbed for the Microwave Sounder, which was recently launched as part of ESA’s MetOp mission. Development of the National Centre for Space Situational Awareness at Chilbolton. Vigil – a mission that will place a spacecraft at the Sun-Earth Lagrange 5 (L5) point for the first time, allowing it to observe the Sun from a “horizontal” perspective. SWIMMR – a £20 million programme to develop space weather monitoring and forecasting tools for the UK Meteorological Office’s Space Weather Operations Centre. I also mentor junior PMs.
Ryan Garrattley, Project Manager
I spent most of my youth pursuing my dream of becoming an RAF pilot, then an Engineering Officer, which led me to study Aerospace Engineering at university. I graduated in 2005 and joined the then newly formed Thales Aerospace as a graduate systems engineer. I spent my first 3 years as a systems engineer on the Lynx Wildcat avionics system, and then as a team leader integrating satellite communications solutions into the cockpit and passenger cabin for commercial aircraft.
I moved into project management in 2009 and spent the next 10 years in various positions within Thales’ Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) division, managing airborne radar and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) programs.
I joined RAL Space in 2019 as a Senior Project Manager, tasked with completing the construction and commissioning of two 5m thermal vacuum chambers (TVACs) for use by the ESA/Airbus Sentinel 4 and 5 projects for environmental testing and instrument calibration, before taking on the leadership of the project management function in 2022.