Profile
Colin Shirran
Last day. Last chat session... Who will win? :)
Curriculum Vitae
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Work History:
For the end of my MSc I interned at the German Space Agency in Bremen for 6 months working in the EDEN laboratory which researches an aspect of regenerative life support systems. These systems are incredibly important for humans to survive long distance travel in space.
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Current Job:
I currently work as an electrical systems engineer at Airbus Defence and Space.
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Employer:
Airbus Defence and Space.
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My Work: I am an Electrical Systems Engineer at Airbus Defence and Space.
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As I am currently in the graduate development programme at ADS we are given the opportunity to move around and get experience in other departments. At the moment I am 50-50 between my home department and Electrical AIT, which stands for Assembly Integration and Testing. My past work has been involved in running system analysis and completing studies for some future scientific missions as well as being involved in the design and routing of the electrical cables which run all throughout the satellite on both scientific and telecommunications satellites. At the moment I have been involved in testing payloads on an electrical test bench used to mimic the whole electrical system of the spacecraft Solar Orbiter, which is designed to study the sun.
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My Typical Day: A lot of time spent at the desk, meetings and the occasional trek to a clean room!
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What I'd do with the money: I would like to use the money to allow more practical equipment to be bought for the STEM group at Airbus.
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The STEM group at Airbus is constantly looking for funding so that we can engage with local schools in a more practical way. At the moment there is an activity which is run that allows students to “build a satellite” using small parts. Ideally the money would be used so that this activity can be improved, old hardware can be replaced and new hardware can be bought so that other activities could be introduced.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Curious, understanding and ambitious.
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
Being involved in the design of something only to walk down to the factory and see it being made!
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
I was always interested in figuring out how things worked. That curiosity led me down this path.
What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to be a pilot. Still planning for it.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Nothing serious. :)
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
A pilot.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Myles Kennedy! Lead singer of Alter Bridge.
What's your favourite food?
Might not be a good example to set but… Haribo starmix…
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Jump out of a plane at 10,000ft!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be involved in the next big human space exploration mission, get a pilots licence and travel the world!
Tell us a joke.
Why can’t you ever trust an atom? Because they make up EVERYTHING!
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