Flying spacecraft means balancing operational efficiency with human connection: Isabel Rojo at ESOC

As we continue celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, we’ve shared a series of stories spotlighting women at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) who fly spacecraft.

Meet Isabel Rojo, Head of the EarthCARE, SMOS and FORUM Unit

With over 20 years in mission operations, Isabel has contributed to many Earth Observation and Copernicus Sentinel missions, including CryoSat‑1, GOCE, Aeolus, Sentinel-5P and EarthCARE.

Today, as Unit Head, Isabel focuses on people leadership and strategic oversight. She supports spacecraft operations managers (SOMs) and teams through guidance and coordination, helping ensure Earth Observation missions operate efficiently and consistently. She also feeds operational feedback into division-level decisions, shaping future models in an era of growing mission numbers and competitiveness.

“Having worked on many missions and in different positions in the teams, I’m well placed to support SOMs when they encounter issues and help them solve them and grow. My role is mainly consultative,” says Isabel.

In parallel, Isabel also recently served as Flight Director during the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) for Sentinel-6B, launched in November 2025.

For Isabel, leadership in operations is about applying the right skill at the right time.

“The art is in using your skills as careful ingredients,” says Isabel. “Each situation requires something different – sometimes more efficiency, sometimes more cooperation. It is not just the output that defines the recipe, but the individuals who are part of each situation.”

How she supports women who dream of flying spacecraft?

“Seeing different paths – and different people – makes it easier to imagine yourself and your potential progression in this field. Sometimes people don’t visualise themselves in certain roles because they’ve never seen someone like them do it. I can show others one way of doing this job. I try to lead by example.”

This text was previously published on ESA Operations, Engineering, and Space Safety's LinkedIn page.