In the Spotlight: RAL Space webinar

The latest spotlight webinar we feature RAL Space case studies, the UK’s national lab advancing space science, satellite engineering, mission operations, and data analysis.

About RAL Space:
The UK’s national laboratory for space science and technology, RAL Space is based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire. They are a key part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and play a central role in UK Research and Innovation.

From building to testing satellites to engineering and research – their  experts work across the full lifecycle of space missions, from concept studies and instrument development to testing, ground-station operations, and data analysis.

 

Webinar resources

The panel have kindly allowed their presented material to be made available for viewing. The webinar recording on Vimeo and the slides on Slideshare, will soon be available in our APM resources area and also embedded below for reference.

The panel are reviewing the questions submitted during the broadcast, and as an additional resource the answers will be added shortly.

This webinar content is suitable for professionals with any knowledge level of the project profession.

 

Speaker panel
Zoe Snelling, Mike Shepherd, Johnny Hope-Smith, Elise Allthorpe-Mullis and Ryan Garrattley

Hosted by
Mark Heelis, APM International Space Sector Interest Network Deputy Lead volunteer

 

Zoe Snelling, Head of Portfolio, RAL Space

Zoe joined RAL Space in 2024 as Head of Portfolio. 

She began her career as a spacecraft operations engineer, controlling the NATO IV and Skynet 4 and 5 satellite fleets, before transitioning into project management, where she supported RF and electronics hardware for major projects, including the Sentinel 3 spacecraft, Alphasat, and SWIM.

With extensive experience managing programmes across the defence, automotive, and aerospace sectors, Zoe brings a wealth of expertise in collaborative project delivery. Her most recent role prior to joining RAL Space involved leading the programmes department for a propulsion systems manufacturer, where she oversaw the successful delivery of the main engines for the Mars Sample Return mission.

A full member of the Association for Project Management, Zoe is passionate about fostering an empowered and effective approach to RAL Space’s project portfolio. She is committed to ensuring that strategic decisions remain consistent and transparent, aligning teams across the organisation toward shared goals.

 

Mike Shepherd, Chartered Engineer

I always wanted to be an aircraft engineer, but my first proper job was testing armoured vehicles. I stayed in test engineering and eventually washed up at Matra Marconi Space in Portsmouth. After a few years I took a 3-month leave of absence to be a project manager on a Raleigh International expedition to southern Chile, then moved into Satellite Payload engineering. I worked on some interesting projects, and by the time I became a Principal Engineer I was doing a fair bit of management. 

Eventually I went contracting and arrived at RAL Space when the scientific instrumentation project I was Technical Manager for was novated. And at a ‘welcome on board’ meeting I saw a sign about a Nation Satellite Test Facility and asked what they were doing about it. The next thing I know I’m a project manager for the dynamics test equipment. And that role grew, and then they needed people to manage the test campaigns.

 

Johnny Hope-Smith, Project Manager, National Satellite Test Facility

I didn’t originally plan to become a project manager - or even enter engineering. I landed in Population Sciences at Southampton through clearing, mostly because my best mate was going and it was the most interesting course left! After university, I took a job at a small engineering firm to fund travel, and unexpectedly found myself enjoying the work. I stayed on after returning, which eventually led to a move to Wiltshire. There, I spent a decade working on physical property analysers - first selling, then designing them - while completing an HNC, HND, and eventually a BEng via the Open University. I eventually became Engineering Manager, overseeing product lines and integrated sampling systems for refineries.

Seeking a new challenge, I joined Wood Group in Reading as a Senior Project Engineer, a mini project manager managing allotted technical design teams and scopes within large multimillion oil & gas project designs. After eight years and five major programmes, COVID hit, the project was cancelled, and I was made redundant. By then, I’d earned an MSc in Engineering Management from Brunel and passed the APMP exam too.

From there I took the opportunity to pivot into science and the public sector, joining STFC to support the UK’s £165M contribution to the European Spallation Source. When that neared completion, I moved to RAL Space, where I now manage hardware testing programmes and support bids for the National Satellite Test Facility.

 

Elise Allthorpe-Mullis, Principle Project Manager

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left university with an MPhys in Astrophysics, I started a PhD (big mistake!) but found that while the research was not for me, I enjoyed tutoring undergrads and doing outreach activities, so I got a job as a science communicator, spending my days hanging out with kids and talking about dinosaurs, space and climate change. It was brilliant and I went on to work at the Science Museum in London developing contemporary science exhibitions on everything from 3D printing, pain relief, psychology and engineering. It was while working on an engineering exhibition that I met several engineers from the space sector, and decided I’d like to be working on these amazing missions, so I pursued a Masters in Space Science and Technology at UCL.

I applied for the graduate scheme at RAL Space, looking at going into either systems engineering or project management. I opted for project management in the end as I’ve always been organised and enjoyed working with people and teams. I spent two years on the grad scheme, chucked in the deep end managing a £5M+ project to test equipment for ESAs Sentinel 5 mission. Seeking to experience the private sector, I went up to Scotland to manage CubeSat projects at AAC Clydespace, a great experience but when RAL Space approached me during COVID about coming back to them and working remotely I decided I missed the research and science focussed environment of RAL Space and went back. 

Since returning I’ve managed a number of projects: MWS – developing test equipment for the Microwave Sounder instrument recently launched on ESA’s MetOp mission. Development of a National centre for space situational awareness at Chilbolton. Vigil – a mission that will place for the first time a spacecraft at Sun-Earth Lagrange point 5 (L5) from where it would get a 'side' view of the Sun. SWIMMR – a £20M programme to develop space weather monitoring and forecasting tools for the UK Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre. I also mentor early career PMs.

Ryan Garrattley, Project Management Group Manager

I spent most of my youth aspiring to be a Royal Air Force pilot and then Engineering Officer, which led me to studying Aerospace Engineering at university. I graduated in 2005 joining what was then a newly formed Thales Aerospace as a graduate systems engineer. I spent 3 years firstly as a systems engineer on Lynx Wildcat avionics and then an integration team leader on cockpit and cabin satcom solutions for commercial aircraft. 

I moved into project management in 2009 spending the next 10 years in various positions in Thales’ Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) business, managing airborne radar and Unmanned Air System (UAS) programmes.

I joined RAL Space in 2019 as a Senior Project Manager tasked with completing the build and commissioning of our two 5m Thermal Vacuum Chambers (TVAC) for use by the ESA/Airbus Sentinel 4 and 5 projects, for environmental testing and instrument calibration, before taking the leadership of our project management function in 2022.