My Space Story - Ashraf Al-Bahlawan

“I am lucky enough to have worked in various industries throughout my career, and I strongly believe that this is one of the many benefits of pursuing a career in mechanical engineering.”

Hi Ashraf! Could you tell us about your career journey so far?

I began my journey with Dyson, having been part of a then brand new team in the business, responsible for developing thermal technologies to enable new Dyson products. The team eventually helped deliver some of the now popular Dyson hair care products! I had a lot of fun working there, especially because I love creating new technologies and novel devices!

I then spent a few years working on developing subsea energy infrastructure, like deep sea oil pipes and electricity cables for offshore wind farms. I’ve always been curious about how we as a species search for and harvest our energy, and this experience was very eye-opening for me.

Then in 2016 I joined the scientific space exploration field, developing space-bound instruments with UCL for the European Space Agency. I was involved in some very exciting missions like Exomars, the European mars exploration rover, Euclid, the dark matter satellite, and PLATO, launching in the coming years and will be looking for planets outside of our solar system.

I absolutely love what I do and I’m constantly seeking chances to learn and develop as a thermal and mechanical engineer.

Tell us a little bit about your business!

Astrostructures is an engineering partner with the mission of helping companies design, develop, and build their space hardware. We align ourselves with our partners by becoming their engineering team, covering as much as possible of the thermal and mechanical demands of their projects, and taking them from a conceptual sketch all the way to a fully mature space instrument ready to go on a rocket – Astrostructures will engineer your space ambitions!

What initially attracted you to the space industry?

I think most individuals working in the space industry started out as young space geeks, and I’m no exception! But what really attracted me to this industry is the demanding environment of space, which requires engineers to really push the boundaries of what is possible with different materials and technologies. I have an appetite for detail, and a curiosity to explore the very limits of what is possible, and I think that aligns me well with this industry, especially at the scientific space exploration end.

How did you become aware of the Space Accelerator and what enticed you to apply?

Having worked on several European space missions at a UK institution for many years, I’m familiar with the UKSA and often follow their activities and programmes. When I saw the accelerator being advertised on LinkedIn, I knew I had to apply!

Tell us something surprising that you learnt whilst on the programme?

Many people take big risks without much knowledge of their objective, and many companies claim excellence from a pedestal of mediocracy!

What have you taken away from the programme so far?

I’ve learned a lot about how to adopt an entrepreneurial mentality, and how to be focused on business growth and resilience. I’m finding this particularly useful when making business decisions, whether big or small. Thanks to the programme content so far, I feel more confident as a business person.

What advice would you give to those interested in developing a career in the space industry?

To focus on attention to detail and to adopt a pragmatic mentality. Space systems, no matter how simple, are complex and multidisciplinary.

To those interested in applying for the programme, what encouragement would you give?

Apply! Even if you are in doubt about which programme you might fit into, the programme organisers are very friendly and helpful, and so even the application process will be a beneficial learning experience for any company.

What were your highlights from the programme?

The 1:1 sessions are extremely useful and very personable. Also the focus on developing your pitch in various formats, which has proven to be a life saver in many situations!

The UK Space Agency Accelerator Leo and Geo cohort is open for applications until the 1st December 2023. Find out more and apply before!