Europe goes to Mars: An interview with John Reddy

John Reddy, Mars Express Principal Electrical Systems Engineer.

Born 16 October 1945 in Cardiff, Wales, but brought up in London.

BSc Physics, University College of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Between 1967 and 1973, John worked in various spacecraft and systems engineering posts, namely at BAC, HSD and Elliots in the United Kingdom. He joined ESTEC in 1975 as a spacecraft systems engineer in ESTEC Testing Division. In 1982 he worked on the European Remote Sensing satellite ERS-1, and in 1986 worked in the Electromagnetic Compatibility and Antenna Measurements Section. He has worked on Mars Express since 1999.

John is married with 2 children and 3 grandsons. He enjoys playing golf (a lot!).

ESA: The moment of the launch must have been quite exciting for you, sitting in the control room?

John Reddy

During the launch itself, you feel an excitement that is a bit abstract since events are out of your own control. After the successful operation of the rocket we had quite some time to wait for the spacecraft to send its first signal. That was like a limbo period. We went to the ESOC canteen (European Space Operations Centre in Germany) where some celebrations were already under way. The biggest event for us was the moment Mars Express told us it was 'alive' but, even then, we were so busy making sure everything was right that we did not have time to stand back and think about our success. The first moment when I really had time to reflect on what we had achieved was walking back to the car park at 7.30 a.m.!

ESA: In the weeks before the Mars Express launch you had to practice all the actions you would need in case a critical situation occurred, either on space or on Earth. What kind of things did you expect?

John Reddy

What we feared the most was that the solar panels would not deploy correctly, or that the transponder would not answer to our signals. But we considered also 'earthly' problems, like our computer system crashing in a critical moment, or people in the team falling ill. We even simulated a fire alarm in our control room to learn how to react. People don't know what each simulation will be about, and have to react to problems like if they were real. It is surprising how real it feels.

ESA: Were you touching wood for luck?

John Reddy

Quite on the contrary: we felt ready to face the unexpected. Actually, in the end the solar arrays opened just beautifully.

ESA: What are the next big challenges for the mission?

John Reddy

We have already passed some critical milestones. The scariest ones are those with strict time constraints. Solar arrays were scary, because we would have not had enough energy for the manoeuvres. Until the end of July we are in the 'commissioning phase', a much more relaxed time when we 'health check' all the instruments on board. Our next big milestone is the firing of the main engine at the end of November, when we will have to check very accurately the pointing of the spacecraft to make sure we are heading towards the right orbit. Once we know exactly where we are, we will upload all the instructions to Mars Express for its manoeuvre.

ESA: And what about Beagle-2 deployment?

John Reddy

It is, of course, another big challenge. It will be released five days before the spacecraft enters its final orbit. It's a delicate moment: Mars Express will be on a collision course with the planet. After the release, the spacecraft will have to move away and enter the right orbit around Mars, with another delicate firing of the engine. Few days afterwards, we will need to adjust precisely the final orbit of the spacecraft. In total, we have enough fuel for the main engine for about 30 minutes of manoeuvres. The rest is needed to control the attitude of the spacecraft during the scientific mission phase. But of course this will also be another great moment we are all looking forward to.

ESA: How do you prepare for those critical phases?

John Reddy

We have a new run of simulations due in September, when hopefully all of us will have had enough rest to face another stressing time. Simulations are important also to build a team. We’re like a national football team: a collection of very good players coming from different clubs having to learn how to play together. We all come from different environments and different focuses, we have to work and interact very closely with each other. The ESA scientists have to work with the people from the industry who have developed the spacecraft. They have physically put together Mars Express, they know all the ‘wires’, and that’s why they are so important.

ESA: You have been working in satellite communications for many years now. What makes it still exciting for you?

John Reddy

Well, different things. First, doing things which capture the imagination of people. I first worked on weather satellites, which allowed people to visualise cloud patterns. Earth observation goes a step further, and scientific missions, which give more understanding of our place in the Universe. I have always been an avid reader of science fiction, and sometimes it seems that my work brings some of that fiction closer to reality. Finally, I keep working here because I find it stimulating. Every day there is something new to learn, and something different to do.

ESA: After all the excitement with Mars Express, how will you relax during your vacation?

John Reddy

I will go back to England and with my wife we will play golf. I am a fanatic. Unfortunately in this sport, fanaticism has nothing to do with ability. It's much easier for me to send a spacecraft to Mars than to put a ball in a hole!