Tatjana Mandil
Tatjana Mandil (UK), Assistant Systems Engineer at ESA ESTEC, interviewed for International Women and Girls in Science Day, 2023
Q. What’s your background? Tell us more about your path in ESA.
I am a second-year graduate trainee working on model-based systems engineering (MBSE). I am very fortunate to have this MBSE role in the context of the lunar Gateway, and I form part of the International Habitation (I-Hab) team. During my masters, I did concurrent engineering, which was effectively mimicking the set-up and inner workings of ESA’s Concurrent Design Facility. This is where I was introduced to MBSE. I subsequently did an internship at a space start-up heavily focused on MBSE.
On starting at ESA, I tried to get involved with the CDF as early as possible – to learn more about industry/agency applications of concurrent engineering and MBSE. I was then lucky enough to act as an Assistant Systems Engineer for a study.
Q. Which mission concept study has been the most interesting for you?
The study I did alongside Claire and Beatriz was for a Mars Transit Habitat, i.e. how to sustain human life for a roundtrip to Mars. Honestly, it really brought to life how gruelling it can be to be an astronaut. The sacrifices you have make and the risks associated at every step of the journey. My appreciation and awe for all our astronauts sky-rocketed, as well as for the engineers and specialists dedicated to keeping them alive and comfortable.
Q. If you could design a mission from scratch, what would it be?
Another passion of mine is asteroid mining, and I firmly believe our adventures to space will lead us there. While several mission concepts for asteroid mining concepts have been developed, I would love to start strategising what it might look like after decades or even centuries. In-space refineries, outposts on the Moon and Mars, and even using mined materials for in-space manufacture.
Q. What’s your perception of the representation of women in STEM jobs in ESA?
ESA was a very pleasant surprise. I did my university studies as one of 10 girls in a course of 150 students. I became quite used to not seeing people who were similar to me. When I started my YGT, I met so many other women in STEM roles, both as YGTs and more senior members of staff which really helped me to unlearn the idea that 'space is for the few'.