Danny Gleeson, Space technology consultant

What were the miain ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?

I always had a curiosity about how things worked and from the age of 12 onwards, I was determined to do something in science. I remember a trip to the Science Museum and Natural History Museum in London when I was young, and it just blew me away that it was possible to understand and explain how all this stuff in the world actually worked, from a jet engine to a horse.

I studied for and passed O Level Physics at a local adult class in the evenings when I was 14 years old, outside of school, as I was impatient to learn more. It was one of the best decisions I ever made as it confirmed an independent spirit and self reliance that would be there throughout my career.

Physics was a great attraction for me as it provided the language through which I could understand the bits of the world that interested me. Astronomy was and is an area that I am particularly interested in and it was something that could be done in your back garden with very simple equipment and your own two eyes.

I was offered a job in the spacecraft power systems group at British Aerospace Space Systems (BAe) in Stevenage, UK, when I graduated at the age of 20 from Imperial College in London and I met some of the best engineers, scientists and friends during my six years with the company. The experience really taught me that the great science and engineering advancements are made through teamwork and collaboration as well as the hard work and talent of individuals.

I jumped at a chance to go to the US while I was at BAe and had an incredible year at McDonnel Douglas Space Systems in California, working with a great team and rubbing shoulders with people who had worked the key space programmes in history such as Gemini and Apollo.

Before returning to Ireland and finding work in the space industry I worked in Italy on the design studies for the European Space Suit with a fabulous team of engineers in Milan. I then came back to Ireland to work in the business of space science instrumentation and spin off applications of space technology. Again it was the great team of engineers at the company that made it a very special experience.

I took another life changing decision in 1996 to start my own company with the aim of providing technical expertise to Irish companies who were looking to operate seriously in the space technology business.

How did you go about getting your current job?

We set up our business 12 years ago when we decided we wanted more control and responsibility for the work that I could earn a living through in a field I was interested in. The choice of our consultancy business approach was based on some sound advice about sticking to what you do best and enjoy most.

What are the main challenges?

The deadlines for proposal submission are solid objects that work collides against and generates a pressure to deliver, but also a huge reward when delivered on time and more importantly when they are successful.

The biggest challenge for me is to have more than one deadline occurring together but this is also the most satisfying when they all come through.

What’s cool?

Being involved in developing stuff for space projects that I have been fascinated in since I was a child.

What’s not so cool?

Financial stuff, accounts, working on business plans – yawn!

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?

I am an experienced professional industrial physicist with broad technical, managerial, strategic and commercial skills.

I get on well with people and I have an endless curiosity about how things work and how solutions to problems are often based on connecting things that would not normally be considered as connected.

I am also a believer in modeling complex problems with simple components and that this approach can be extended into many “non-engineering” or “non-scientific” areas of business.

What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?

I studied physics to the exclusion of almost everything else and while it helped good grades in that subject, I suffered in other subjects such as languages which had to be tackled later in life which I regret, as there is never enough time later on in life.

I went on to study physics, chemistry and maths at A-level and I was determined to study physics at university somewhere and through some recommendations, I chose Imperial College in London.

What is your education to date?

• Secondary School, O Level : Physics, maths, chemistry, biology, electonics, English language, English literature, technical drawing, RE.
• College – A level: Physics, maths, chemistry, physics (special level)
• University: BSc. Hons. Physics (2:1) Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. MSc. Astronomy, Astronautics & Instrumentation, (distinction). University of Hertfordshire.
• Awards: The Sir Arthur Ackland Prize for Excellence in Humanities, Imperial College, 1986. Associate of the Royal College of Science.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

The development of a sustainable business in the space industry with consistent and secure income has been our aim since we started out 12 years ago and we have achieved this now and continue to look for opportunities to expand the space based activities that will provide security for the future.

The development of the Space Industry Skillnet as Europe’s only space industry training network and the recognition from ESA and NASA for this achievement has been very rewarding.

I have been closely involved with the progression of some Irish companies from technology development to participation in space missions and this is an ambition that is being fulfilled with the selection of Irish space technology by Columbus facility managers, to be at the heart of science experiments for the next decade on the space station laboratory.

In addition I’ll be working with Irish companies to build cryogenic fuel tanks for next generation launchers and space planes in Galway – how cool is that!

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

Get qualified in a science or engineering degree, achieve a postgraduate qualification in a specialised area and build up as much experience in the area that you are really interested in and operate at the leading edge with the best people you can find in the best locations in the world.

You need to be independent and self starting, see the bigger picture and help to build the industry that you work in. You will see opportunity where others see problems.

If you want to earn large sums of money then go work in a merchant bank or stock brokers.

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Work in an environment developing something new in automotive, aerospace, medical etc. Develop your personal area of expertise to a high degree and contribute to a team based, innovative effort.

Understand the innovation process and look outside for contributions and ideas from non-related areas. Try to teach or communicate what you do to other people at every opportunity as it reinforces your skills and reminds you how enthusiastic you are in the subject.