Southern Launch lured me to the space industry and has no problem keeping me there...

Bianca (centre) with the Mission Development Team

Southern Launch recently hosted Bianca for Year 10 work experience. Read on to find out what work experience was like at Southern Launch from Bianca’s perspective.

Although engineering was what I had in mind when entering this amazing work experience opportunity. Every part of what Southern Launch's team does has interested me and opened my mind to different pathways into the space industry.

The "whirlwind of changes" with the Communications & Media Team

To launch the younger generation right into space technology I spent some time with Amy on the business side of Southern Launch. My main focus was creating interactive educational presentations that the SL team could present to school children both in primary and high school.

I came up with idea of using 3D printed rocket parts which the kids could use to construct a model rocket by putting all of the pieces together. Then they would design their own payload to put in it. For the older students, they could make mini hydro rockets out of plastic bottles and cardboard that they would launch. The aim was for kids of all ages to be engaged with rocket design and engineering-related topics. While still keeping everything easy to understand, allowing everyone to take part in the presentation.

"Food bribes and colourful wires" with the Avionics Team

When entering into the crazy technological world of avionics I was shown all the different technologies used by Siobhan, Matt, and Farisha. They helped me learn about flight systems and how the SL team develop their design concepts. The team's payload designs allow the launch vehicle to communicate with everyone on the ground while it is in flight. It does this by inputting code functions into its circuit hardware. I created various circuits of my own that performed different functions such as lighting up an LED light to simulate how the avionics team test their technologies before launch. It was really awesome to see how the code I wrote affected the physical circuit I built.

The "Lime green composites" of the Structural Engineering Team

Normally seen as the one-sided "draw and design" part of engineering, working with Southern Launch's structural engineering team blew me away in many directions. I learnt all about their extensive role in the design and the manufacturing process of creating a rocket as well as how they are directly involved with the assembly and testing stage of the process. This includes 3D printing a model of the rocket, stress testing all the different parts of their prototypes and ensuring everything is in accordance with their expert calculations. I got to see many structures that Luke and Chris had designed and manufactured while also getting some guidance on how to do the calculations myself.

"Piles of files" with the Launch Regulation Team

With Eamon from the Launch Regulation Team I discovered that corporate space law is a big part of keeping a business like Southern Launch in line with regulators. I found it very interesting how the regulation team not only ensures that all the company's operations are within the laws but also how they advocate for changes in the current space-related legislation. This makes launching way more efficient in Australia, allowing privatised companies such as SL to attract international customers and help create new business ventures.

"Don't hit the red button" with the Mission Development Team

As a part of blasting off with the mission team, I learnt how they coordinate launches and all the things that go with them such as the weather conditions on the day, the flight trajectory of the rocket and what risk the launch is to the surrounding area. Their use of technologies that simulate risk such as the programs they have developed, combined with weather balloons and military-grade radars ensure the best possible conditions for launch day. They are also responsible for monitoring the launch on the day from their 'Operations HQ' which I found extremely cool. It enables them to direct boat, plane and people traffic out of the launch area which ensures a safe launch environment.

Thanks for joining us Bianca! We had a blast!