Finding My Orbit – A Journey into the Space Sector

The route into the space industry isn’t always straightforward. Sometimes it’s shaped by detours, challenges and unexpected opportunities – and sometimes that’s what makes the story more inspiring. In this case, for Aman Sandhur, it began with a childhood fascination for stars, rockets and the unknown. That early spark never really went away and today he’s working for RAL Space – the UK’s national space lab. 

Early challenges – and an interest that never faded

Space captured his imagination from a young age. As he puts it, ‘when I was younger, I was obsessed with dinosaurs and space’, and thanks to his mum encouraging science at home, he leaned towards the universe rather than the Jurassic. He joined an astronomy club in secondary school and, at around 15, earned a place at Space Camp Turkey – an experience that made him think seriously about a future in space. 

School itself didn’t always go to plan. A‑levels didn’t work out the way he hoped, and he found himself retaking exams while working. Eventually he earned enough UCAS points for a foundation year – and that became a turning point. In the right academic environment he flourished, later discovering he was neurodivergent, which helped explain why traditional studying had felt harder than it did for some of his classmates. It took him longer than most to complete his degree, but he graduated with first‑class honours in physics and philosophy.

Learning by sharing – discovering science communication

After graduation, he took on a part-time role at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. He presented astronomy shows, gave science demonstrations and delivered planetarium sessions to visitors. It helped him gain confidence and showed him how powerful science communication can be – especially because those experiences had inspired him when he was younger.

Joining RAL Space – and finding a place in project management

His route into the industry came through the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) graduate scheme, where he joined RAL Space, the UK’s national space laboratory. The organisation sits at the intersection of government, academia and industry, working on the engineering behind satellites, payloads and space‑ready technologies. 

Project management wasn’t something he’d planned during his school days, but it turned out to suit him perfectly. His job involves keeping whole projects on track by balancing what he calls the ‘project management triangle’: cost, quality and timescales. Depending on where a satellite is in its lifecycle, his role shifts wildly – from procurement and tracking components to running daily stand‑ups in the busiest moments before environmental testing. No two days look the same.

He works closely with systems engineers, mechanical teams, electrical specialists, thermal experts and product assurance colleagues. Talking to people, asking questions and learning on the job have been vital, especially because he didn’t start with an engineering background. ‘Project management isn’t just deadlines and numbers,’ he says. ‘It’s also about the people.’

Seeing his work reach space

One of the highlights of his career so far was watching a satellite he worked on, SpeQtre, launch into space. The project is co-led by RAL Space’s Disruptive Space Technology Centre and aims to demonstrate ultra-secure quantum communications technology. A second satellite he has contributed to, SPOQC, is also preparing for launch. ‘Being able to say I’m working on things that get sent to space – it’s really cool,’ he admits.

The challenges – and why they’re worth it

Space engineering moves slowly. Some projects last many years, and because of that he hasn’t yet seen one from the very first concept to the final launch. ‘It can feel like a marathon,’ he explains, but he also recognises the excitement of being part of something that will eventually leave Earth.

What it really takes

Three skills make the biggest difference in this role.

First, you need to be able to handle lots of tasks at once – sometimes hundreds of small responsibilities spread across a project. Staying on top of moving parts is a big part of the job. 

Second, people skills matter just as much as planning skills. Talking openly with colleagues, listening carefully and spotting issues before they become problems are all essential, because project management is as much about people as it is about processes. 

Third, organisation is key – not just keeping track of documents and deadlines, but also knowing which things need your attention and which things you can let go. As he explains, learning to prioritise is vital when ‘a thousand and one things’ come up at once. Above all, success comes from being willing to learn as you go and constantly adapting to what each project needs.

Different routes into the space sector

There is no single path. Some colleagues joined through an apprenticeship at 18, working towards a degree while learning on the job. Others entered via graduate schemes or moved across from different industries. What matters most is curiosity, persistence and the willingness to keep developing your skills.

Advice for young people

Aman gives this advice to young people: ‘Life is not a sprint. It’s not a race.’ After school, he watched friends head straight to university while he took a longer path having not done as well as he’d hoped at school. But during that time he also collected experiences – studying abroad, building rockets to launch in the Black Rock Desert, joining maker communities and presenting at a planetarium – that shaped who he is today.

His message is simple:
There isn’t one perfect route. What matters is finding the thing that sparks your interest – and holding onto it, even when the journey takes longer than you expected.