Q&A: Meganne Christian, reserve astronaut

Why did you become interested in science and engineering?

My dad was a scientist and I was interested in what he was doing growing up. At school, my favourite subjects were maths and languages. It was hard to combine those subjects, and engineering is not necessarily a career that you consider as a girl – which is ridiculous. When looking at university degrees I discovered the Co-op Scholarship at the University of New South Wales, which offered a series of industrial training placements. I thought it would be a great experience to help me decide what I wanted to do with my life. I fell into engineering, but I am glad I did.

How did you get to where you are now?

I enjoyed industry but decided to pursue a PhD in nanomaterials. It was a challenging but great experience, which prepared me for the rest of my career.

After my PhD I wanted to gain some international experience and use my foreign language skills. I was informed of a postdoc position at the National Research Council of Italy, which I applied to from Australia. Due to time zone differences, one interview was conducted in a McDonald's car park! I ended up working there for 9 years, focusing on applications for the exciting material graphene in alternative energies and space. 

I participated in a European project called the Graphene Flagship, where I worked on graphene-coated loop heat pipes, which are used for cooling in satellites. My first insight into what working in space might be like was during a parabolic flight, testing the pipe’s functionality in microgravity.

I’m fascinated by Antarctica and the National Research Council of Italy has permanent observatories at Concordia Station in Antarctica. Each year an expression of interest form is circulated to determine who would like to spend a year in Antarctica. Initially, I ignored it as I never thought I would get accepted. The second year, I applied and I was selected. 

This was a big change. Antarctica is a completely isolated, extreme environment, but I was also going to be an atmospheric physicist and meteorologist. I was worried that I didn’t have the right skills, but engineering prepared me well. In Antarctica, you are the custodian of other people's experiments, ensuring they work and that data is transmitted to Europe. I really enjoyed doing this.

It also put me in good stead when applying to be an astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2021. I didn’t expect to get through, yet, I was selected in the final 17 as one of the Class of 2022 ESA astronauts as a Member of the Reserve!

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

My time in Antarctica, as I didn't think I had the right skills. I only had a two-week crossover with my predecessor, to learn everything I needed for that whole year. But I succeeded and really enjoyed it. The principal investigators were really happy and some of them said that I'd set the benchmark for future winter overs [‘winter over’ is the term for staying in Antarctica over the winter, as all aircraft traffic is discontinued]. The experience was life changing.

What would you say your favourite thing is about being an engineer?

Problem solving. I enjoy the methodical, systematic way of thinking and it has helped me throughout my engineering journey. I enjoy considering the next steps to achieve our goals.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Currently I am working at the UK Space Agency, in the exploration team. After being selected as a Member of the Astronaut Reserve, I wanted to be more involved with the space sector. I’m investigating the future strategy for space stations, as we’re entering a new era of commercial space stations, now that the ISS is retiring in 2030. 

There are numerous companies who are building space stations, so I’m forging partnerships with them, enabling the UK to continue its involvement with space research. I attend a lot of meetings and great conferences. 

I also engage in outreach activities to hopefully inspire the next generation into STEM. 

What would your advice be to young people looking to pursue a career in engineering?

It’s easy to worry when choosing your subjects or degree because you think if you don’t enjoy it, you will be trapped into that subject. However, this isn’t the case – you can move around. Engineering is so broad, there will be something that you will enjoy. 

Choose something you enjoy, work hard and see how it goes. Look out for interesting opportunities, even if they're not necessarily on your traditional career path. They will enrich your life, providing you with a broader perspective to help solve the world's problems. 

What’s next for you?

Next is some exciting training. I am doing everything that I can, so I can be the best astronaut I can be, if that opportunity arises.  

***

Meganne Christian is a reserve astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA) and Exploration Commercialisation Lead for the UK Space Agency