• Question: What is the most emotional part of your Job?

    Asked by Aaronski to Phil, Hollie on 8 Mar 2018.
    • Photo: Phil Allen

      Phil Allen answered on 8 Mar 2018:

      For me the most emotional part of my job is once the satellite I’ve worked on is in orbit when they’re about to turn on or operate the parts I’ve worked on. the main emotion there is nervousness! Most of the bits I have worked (that I have the greatest responsibility for) are single shot. This means that they are only used once; this is good because it means once it’s done it’s job I can relax but makes it more nail biting as if it doesn’t work there often is only a couple of attempts we can give them.

      For example, a recent satellite I worked on I was responsible for the part that stops the solar array from deploying when it’s in the rocket and ensures it does deploy when it’s in space. If it deployed too early the solar array would have been destroyed and if it didn’t deploy in orbit we wouldn’t have got enough power!

      So that’s when I feel the most emotion but it’s mainly nerves! 😛

    • Photo: Hollie Heard

      Hollie Heard answered on 8 Mar 2018:

      As with many things, I think it’s when things either succeed or fail. Seeing something you’ve spent time and effort in developing in succeed always makes me emotional. It’s an opportunity to celebrate and be proud of that you’ve achieved. On the flip side, when things don’t work that can always have a negative impact, but these are also opportunities to learn and you just have to refocus and try again. It’s also dependant on the team you work with, if you develop a great working relationship with these people they can always help celebrate the successes or lift you up when things get tough. People can often perceive scientists as being a bit cold or unemotional, but in reality we are people who care a great deal about what we do and really believe what we do matters and can make a difference.

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