How to shift from lorry driver to space engineer

David Bootle-Frowde's background seems completely unrelated to the glamorous world of space launches. The 31-year-old spent nine years in the hospitality industry, becoming the general manager of a gastropub in Cheshire. But he didn't think it was his true calling. "I felt I could do more," he said, seeking a more fulfilling career path.

Mr. Bootle-Frowde had been interested in space and aviation since childhood, citing Concorde as an early source of inspiration. A course at the University of Portsmouth piqued his interest; it was the UK’s first space systems degree apprenticeship, run in partnership with BAE Systems. To save up the money to pay for the course, he switched careers to become a truck driver, a move that surprised his social circle, but demonstrated his commitment.

“When I said I’d got onto this course, everyone thought I was lying. They thought I was joking, going from being a truck driver to a space engineer!” The four-and-a-half-year course involves on-the-job learning at BAE Systems sites designing and assembling satellites. Back at the University of Portsmouth, they will study space systems engineering. The academic side of the course consists of four modules, thermodynamics, programming, digital systems and maths, all split between lectures and lab time, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

Joining Mr. Bootle-Frowde on the paid apprenticeship scheme were four others, one of whom was Alice Offerlend. The 21-year-old had already been working assembling and testing satellites before applying for the Portsmouth course. This work involved the unfortunate Prometheus-2 satellite, lost in the failed attempt by Virgin Orbit to launch satellites into space in 2023. The event left an impression on her. “It was very surreal, we were all in the office watching the launch, and then when the reporting came in, we just went home.”

Satellite launch failures are part of the space business. But the Virgin Orbit loss made an impression on the other students at Portsmouth University. It represented the risk factor in working in space. Ms. Offerlend’s background in satellite testing gives her a head start in understanding how the vast UK space industry fits together. “The whole space sector is going in a good direction.” She explains what “space systems” really means in her world. “Systems is about making sure everything is where it’s meant to be, like the weight of the satellite has to be exactly right.”

George Smith is the youngest of the group at just 18, joining the course straight after A-levels in physics, maths and engineering. Back in his hometown of York, he and some friends took apart an old lawnmower and used the parts to build a go-kart. How did the go-kart perform? “It only wanted to turn right, but we learned a lot about why it wouldn’t work properly.” Space exploration isn't always smooth sailing, but practical work like this is an integral part of the course. “The apprenticeship scheme appealed to me. I find learning and applying the course to practical things means I learn better. So I was always looking for degree apprenticeships, and this course was a tick list of everything I wanted to do.”

Space is an ever-expanding field, and he harbors aspirations of one day venturing beyond Earth's atmosphere, “If I can tick all the right boxes, to become an astronaut”. For now, the course is meeting his expectations. “It’s a bit cliché to say it’s a dream come true, but I’ve got my foot in the door.”

Elizabeth Seward is the space strategy lead at BAE Systems. Although her own background is as a physicist, Ms. Seward believes that people are put off by the perception that the industry is exclusively for rocket scientists. “Space tends to be put on a pedestal. But the truth is we need more people from other backgrounds. There are careers here for anyone who is interested in space, such as project managers or lawyers.”

The appeal of space is also evident at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, where Dr. Stefanie Docherty teaches orbital mechanics, how satellites get into the right orbit, as part of an aerospace course. She agrees that specialization is less important than aptitude in the space sector. “Employers need a problem-solving mindset. I’ve noticed there’s a real hunger from students for more space content in the courses.” Proposals to build rocket launch sites in remote locations such as the Shetland Islands mean the UK space industry should open up more positions in the near future.

After the Space Shuttle was mothballed in 2011, Mr. Bootle-Frowde felt that space exploration had “gone backwards a step”. Now he says the success of Elon Musk’s SpaceX reusable launchers is significant. “Musk has very much reignited the space race,” bringing renewed excitement and innovation to the field.

All three students find the practical aspects of the course encouraging. What do they usually do outside of the space syllabus? “Most of us play video games,” says Mr. Smith, with Ms. Offerlend nodding in agreement. Scuba diving is another popular pastime. “We’re all big gamers,” says Mr. Bootle-Frowde, “and scuba diving is good training for working in space.”