Senior Manager - Flight Dynamics Space42

Overview

Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) is a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities to enlighten the Earth from space. Established in 2024 following the successful merger between Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42’s global reach allows it to address the rapidly evolving needs of its customers in governments, enterprises, and communities.

Our vision is to pioneer beyond today for humanity to experience a better tomorrow. Space42 challenges traditional approaches with advanced AI and cutting-edge satellite technology, making space more accessible and redefining how data from space can be used on Earth. We aim to achieve this by connecting people to rewire potential, informing decisions to reimagine impact and enabling action to redefine tomorrow.

For more information visit: www.space42.ai, follow us on X and Instagram: @Space42ai

Responsibilities

To maintain Space42 satellites in correct orbital position, calculating and providing orbital manoeuvre data ensuring efficient use of propellants. Maintain awareness of and report any impending close approach risks. Maintain up to date estimate of remaining propellants and remaining propellant lifetime.

• Support the team in performing the correct completion of all flight dynamics daily operations for both GEO and LEO missions including optimal spacecraft fleet manoeuvre planning, orbit determination & orbital events prediction. Supervise the completion and reporting of all Flight Dynamics analyses necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Space42 satellite fleet, to include close approach analysis, remaining propellant computations and Orbital Manoeuvre Life (OML) predictions.
• Manage projects to acquire the Flight Dynamics software necessary for daily Flight Dynamics operations for new and exisiting satellites in the Space42 fleet. Define the operational needs and ensure the software is properly designed and tested and coordinate the deployment schedule.
• Identify and manage software developments for achieving FD related analysis or data generation to external customers.
• Manage the system and process improvement of flight dynamics daily operations ensuring compliance with the department’s standard operational policies, processes, procedures and controls so that all relevant procedural/ legislative requirements are fulfilled.
• Ensure accurate preparation and execution of the LEOP mission by a thorough review of mission products (nominal and backup burn plans, manoeuvre optimisation, interference with other spacecraft, propellant penalty due to manoeuvre delay, orbit determination, commands for attitude reorientation and manoeuvre execution, and orbital products.) Represent Space42 at LEOP and LEOP rehearsals.
• Ensure accurate preparation and execution of the Relocation and de-orbit mission by a thorough review of mission products (nominal and backup burn plans, manoeuvre optimisation, interference with other spacecraft, propellant penalty due to manoeuvre delay, orbit determination, commands for attitude reorientation and manoeuvre execution, and orbital products.)
• Develop & prepare accurate management reports to provide timely feedback to Management for monitoring the progress of Procurement transactions and operations. In particular, compile quarterly reports detailing the major flight dynamics activities performed during the period, with analysis and predictions as necessary. This will include performing remaining propellant computations (for chemical and ionic propulsion system), analyzing the results and predicting the Orbital Manoeuvre Life (OML) for the spacecraft
• Manage training of the Flight Dynamics Team. Ensure training material is complete. Provide flight dynamics awareness for Space42 staff and in depth flight dynamics knowledge and new bus training as required for operations engineers, spacecraft controllers and new flight dynamics engineers.
• Represent Space42 on a technical level with the UAE Space Agency and the space community in general. Promote our technical and commercial interests to ensure Space42 can conform and comply with proposed guidelines.
  
  

• BS Aerospace, Maths, Physics or Engineering
• Minimum 10 Years Flight Dynamics activities for one (or preferably more) Satellite Operations companies including both on-station and LEOP activities, with focus on on-station Flight Dynamics Operations.
• Experience with any of these Spacecraft platforms (Eurostar3000, Geosta3, Boeing702GEM or ENEO), or with Airbus manufacturered Satellites.
  
  

• Detailed Understanding of Orbital Dynamics Theory and Applications
• Detailed Understanding of the Design & Use of Proprietary Flight Dynamics Software
• Design & Use of In-house Flight Dynamics Tools, Analysis and Reporting
• Procurement, Design & Use of Proprietary Flight Dynamics Software
• Detailed Understanding of Spacecraft Operations & Design
• Detailed Understanding of Ground Station Operations & Design
• Detailed Understanding of LEOP nominal and contingency Flight Dynamics Operations
• Presentation and Training Skills
• Detailed Understanding of Mathematics & Physics