As he navigates the challenges of both academia and the aerospace industry, we caught up with Jack to shed light on the evolving relationship between advanced education and practical engineering in the field.

In this interview, we explore how Jack’s academic and professional experiences are shaping his future in aerospace engineering, and how his work with Morson Projects is contributing to cutting-edge developments in the industry.

Hi Jack! Before we get started, please can you tell us a bit more about your career history so far?

Hi! My career journey began with studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Liverpool, where I completed my BEng, starting in 2019 and graduating in 2022.

After graduation, I joined Morson Projects in November 2022 and became part of an aerospace design team lead by Sally Entwistle, where I worked on the Tempest program.

In January 2024, I decided to take a sabbatical and spent four months traveling through Southeast Asia, which was a great opportunity to recharge and explore new cultures.

In September 2024, I started my part-time master’s program, which is a three-year course with block weeks at the University. So far, I’ve completed the first module and received a great grade, with two more results due soon.

Currently, I’m in the process of joining a new team, which means that I’ll be splitting my time between working on the design of Tempest and a new project involved with an ACP UAV (Autonomous Collaborative Platform, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle).

I’m excited about this opportunity, to continue growing and developing in the aerospace industry!


How is your Astronautics and Space Engineering Masters preparing you for the practical challenges you might face in the aerospace industry?

The Astronautics and Space Engineering Master’s program is preparing me for the practical challenges in the aerospace industry by offering a curriculum shaped by an industrial advisory panel of experts from various organisations within the sector. This ensures that the modules, software, and methods being taught are the most current and directly applicable to the work done in the field today.

One of the key aspects of the course is its emphasis on hands-on experience. What I’m learning is being used by engineers worldwide for groundbreaking projects, such as sending people back to the moon or deploying probes to distant planets and asteroids. This real-world application of knowledge helps me understand the scale and complexity of space missions, as well as the depth of expertise required in each specialist field to safely get an object airborne and beyond.

Additionally, the variety of work involved in space engineering, everything from selecting the appropriate engine to determining the number of radiators required has helped me appreciate just how many specialised fields and disciplines are involved in the design and execution of space systems. It’s clear that every component and decision plays a crucial role, which makes the learning process both broad and deeply detailed, preparing me for the multifaceted challenges of the aerospace industry.

What specific areas within the space sector are you most passionate about, and how do you see your education shaping your career in those fields?

I’m really enjoying the variety and potential within the space sector. The field is still in its early stages of discovery, and that creates endless exciting opportunities. Whether it’s improving tracking systems like GPS, deep space imaging with missions like the James Webb Space Telescope, or applying space technology to real-world problems like wildfire detection through initiatives like Firesat, the possibilities space offers to help humanity are vast and inspiring.

The specific area I’m most passionate about is trajectory and mission design. I’m fascinated by the challenge of determining the optimal launch date and the ideal orbit for a mission, based on the mission’s specific requirements and the constraints of the launch window. It’s a blend of science and precision, making sure that the spacecraft is placed perfectly in orbit and that it gets there in the most efficient way possible.

I also love the process of analysing missions in detail and coming up with the best solutions to ensure they meet their objectives. For instance, a satellite may by unable to maintain its desired orientation (keeping a camera pointed towards Earth), I’d analyse the attitude and orbit control system and suggest the changes to make it work.

Images: James Webb Space Telescope

My education in Astronautics and Space Engineering is helping me build the technical expertise I need to excel in these areas. It’s providing me with the tools to tackle the complex challenges of space systems design and trajectory planning, and ultimately, shaping my career toward being a part of the next generation of engineers pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration and technology.

Looking forward, I could see myself in a role such as a Space Systems Engineer. I enjoy the idea of being a “jack of all trades,” with a solid understanding of all the systems involved, such as power supply, attitude control, and thermal management and using that knowledge to design a satellite that meets specific customer requirements. The process of performing trade-offs to ensure the design is both functional and efficient is something I find both challenging and rewarding. I also look forward to collaborating with specialists from various fields, acting as the focal point for integrating all the pieces into a successful mission.

Can you describe any research projects from your course that have enhanced your understanding of the aerospace industry and prepared you for a role in aerospace engineering?

One of the key research projects I’m currently working on has significantly enhanced my understanding of aerospace engineering and prepared me for a career in the industry. I’m involved in a trajectory design project where I’m tasked with plotting a mission from Earth to Mars using MATLAB. This requires applying the theory from my ‘Astrodynamics and Mission Analysis’ module to find the optimal path to Mars, factoring in the launch window, arrival date, and trajectory that minimises fuel usage and costs.

The challenge here is that we can’t just fly in a straight line to Mars—it would be far too expensive and impractical. Instead, we use Earth’s gravity to help launch the spacecraft out of Earth’s gravity field and into the Sun’s gravity influence, directing it on a precise path to intercept Mars. It’s like trying to thread a needle 400 million miles away! If we miss, we’re looking at wasting millions of pounds. This project has been incredibly interesting because I’m building a dynamic model that can be easily adjusted for future missions to different planets or asteroids, making it adaptable for real-world business applications.

Additionally, in the ‘Space Systems Engineering’ module, we were given a satellite design and mission objective and asked to assess its feasibility. This task required me to carefully define the mission’s requirements and analyse the satellite design to identify potential flaws. This process mirrors the work of a space systems engineer, where you need to understand the purpose and benefits of each component to suggest improvements. Being up-to-date with the latest technology is crucial for making relevant recommendations, and this project helped me develop that expertise.

Another project involved using STK (Systems Tool Kit) software to design a satellite constellation capable of providing constant worldwide phone coverage. The challenge here was to ensure that at least one satellite in the constellation could always cover every part of the globe. This task taught me how to work with systems that rely on interdependent components, ensuring they function together to meet specific goals.

What makes these projects unique is that they closely mirror the work done by engineers in the field. Each task is conducted to the same high standard expected in the industry, and they provide valuable practical experience in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world aerospace problems. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of the complexities of aerospace engineering and have certainly prepared me for the challenges I’ll face in the industry.

What’re your goals for the next five years?

In the next five years, my primary goal is to work towards achieving Chartership, which will be a significant milestone in my career as an aerospace engineer. I’m committed to continually developing my skills and knowledge, and I plan to learn as much as I can from the senior engineers I’m currently working with. Their experience is invaluable, and I want to absorb as much wisdom as possible from them while they are still around.

I also aim to continue growing as an aerospace engineer by taking on new challenges and expanding my expertise. One of my major objectives is to see the Tempest project through until its first flight. Being part of such a cutting-edge program is incredibly exciting, and I want to contribute to its success in a meaningful way.

Additionally, we’re about to make a start on a new Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) project, helping to shape the development of this next-generation technology. Over the next five years, I hope to establish myself as a well-rounded engineer, with a strong commitment to both personal growth and contributing to the development of the aerospace industry.

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