Background

• Graduated BSc (Hons) Physics with Computing in 2011
  • Carried out 2 internships in 3rd year
     
• Worked with FeedHenry afterwards
  • Put a thing near space while there (evening project)
     
• Graduated MSc (Hons) Physics specialising in Space science and technology
   
• Just started a new job as System architect working with space data analysis

Current work

• Building a data analysis system for Gaia
• Gaia is one of ESAs biggest satellites!

• Gaia will detect and analyse a billion stars
• It creates a lot of data: one petabyte
  • Put it on DVDs and stack them = 267.6m
  • Eiffel tower = 301m

• After creating the system, we get to use it!

Physics

Why get involved?

• You will solve problems
  • Physics isn't just about equations
    It changes how you think
  • This is great for jobs
     
• The world is moving quickly, quicker now
  • Science is moving just as quick

Physics

Why I recommend it

• Great lecturers
  • Plenty of assistance
  • Responsive to feedback
     
• Very broad + dynamic course
   
• Relatively small class size
   
• Placements

Internships

Overview

• Applied during end of year.
• Wasn't sure I would get any of them

• Offered a place with FeedHenry
• Offered a place with ESA in May

• I got two!

A few things I did

• with skills from physics undergrad

• and experience from placements

• Built system for flare analysis
  • 4th year project
  • Flown to Holland to present it
• Glider
  • Flown on a weather balloon
  • Glided "home" autonomously
• MSc in physics - space science
  • Went to Tenerife (twice)
  • Went to observatory (very cool)
  • Designed a space mission

A few things I did

Glider

To the stratosphere!

• High altitude videos = cool
• Figured glider = better video
• So...
  • I designed that
  • Tested it..
  • Flew it & Lost it (2nd time around)
     
• CV stands out now
• It was hugely satisfying
• Rewarding in a few ways

Showing off its brains

My old phone..

Parachute release motor too

Ready to fly

Parachute

HD Camera

Thoughts on physics

• Physics is not something to be worried about studying
  • Give it a shot
     
• The world is changing, very quickly
  • Technology is advancing
  • Climate is changing
  • We're hitting limits on food/energy limits 
  • Humans will probably be on Mars in our lifetimes
     
• If you like a challenge, or want to help humanity
  • Physics is definitely a good idea

We are small...

We are small...

But that will never influence the impact of our ideas