Profile
Laurence O'Rourke
Curriculum Vitae
-
Work History:
Tyndale Institute Cork, ESA sites in Holland (ESTEC), Germany (ESOC) and Spain (ESAC)
-
Current Job:
Rosetta Science Operations Manager
-
Employer:
European Space Agency – Madrid Spain
-
My Work: I’m an engineer and scientist working on the Rosetta mission which is all about a spacecraft flying around a comet
-
Read more
I’m a science operations manager working on the Rosetta mission based in ESAC, Madrid I’m also the system engineer for the Philae lander which landed on the comet in November 2014. My day to day work involves a mix of engineering and management discussions quite a few of which require decisions to be taken.
. -
My Typical Day: Engineering & management discussions via meetings with email interactions in the background
-
What I'd do with the money: I’d use it to visit 2 schools in Ireland (one primary, one secondary) to talk about the mission and bring posters/Rosetta stickers etc.
-
Read more
As I live and work in Spain, the travel costs & accomodation costs would be funded for the trip. Rosetta materials will come freely with my visit, paid for by the project. I have two different Rosetta talks for younger kids (5 to 13) e.g. they have cartoons included, and one for secondary school (13 to 18) e.g. more detailed. The set of talks are designed for the audience.
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Multi-tasker, thorough, talkative
What's the best thing you've done in your career?
Built satellites, operated satellites, worked with the Philae lander
What or who inspired you to follow your career?
The challenge
What did you want to be after you left school?
I had no idea doing my leaving cert what I wanted to be. I never appreciated that I had a science and engineering aptitude.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
very little
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
A terrible painter and an unsuccessful contestant of the x-factor :-)
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Not one but rathers lots : Cold Play, David Guetta, Maroon 5, Simple minds, U2 and many more.
What's your favourite food?
Paella
What is the most fun thing you've done?
Playing with my kids; always enjoyable for me so always the most fun
-