Serco’s first Middle East space programme graduate felicitated in Germany

Sarah Al Habbas is a Saudi citizen

Sarah Al Habbas, the inaugural graduate of Serco’s Middle East Space Graduate Programme, was honoured with a special reception at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bonn, Germany.

The event, hosted by Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador to Germany, celebrated Al Habbas’ achievements in advancing Saudi Arabia’s aerospace capabilities.

Amar Vora, Serco Middle East’s Head of Space; Mona Al Thagafi, Serco Saudi Arabia’s Country Director; and Islam Alizada, Serco’s Head of COP-2, attended the reception.

Al Habbas, currently stationed at Serco’s Copernicus Operations Support Services (COP-2) facility at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, was honoured for her outstanding progress within Serco’s Middle East Space Graduate Programme, strategically aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud, Saudi Ambassador to Germany, said: “Sarah Al Habbas’ accomplishments epitomise the potential and the great expectation of Saudi Arabia’s youth in pioneering new frontiers. Her journey marks a significant personal achievement and symbolises the leadership’s confidence and ambition in our nation’s youth.”

Amar Vora, Serco Middle East Head of Space, noted: “At Serco, we are committed to bringing our global expertise to Saudi Arabia, fostering local talent and driving the Kingdom’s space ambitions. Sarah’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication and the right support. We are thrilled to see her represent the future of Saudi space exploration.”

Al Habbas added: “This opportunity to train with the European Space Agency and seasoned international experts has been transformative. It reaffirms my commitment to contribute to the Saudi space sector and to inspire other young Saudis to pursue their passions in this exciting field.”

November 2023 start

Al Habbas, an aerospace engineering graduate with a minor in applied mathematics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the United States, joined Serco’s Middle East Space Graduate Programme in November 2023.

Following earlier training in Saudi Arabia and a six-month placement at COP-2 in Germany, Al Habbas is nearing certification as a proficient spacecraft operations engineer and is set to graduate later this year. Her responsibilities will soon include transferring her knowledge to the Serco space team and clients in Saudi Arabia.

Al Habbas’ training in Germany is structured into three distinct stages. Initially, she delved into foundational spacecraft design concepts, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical frameworks that underpin space engineering.

Subsequently, she attended sessions focused on routine operations, where she learnt about the day-to-day responsibilities of spacecraft operations engineers at the ESOC.

Spacecraft operations

In addition to these fundamental stages, she is immersed in advanced training on the intricacies of spacecraft operations. Using Sentinel-1 as a case study—an Earth Observation Satellite mission managed by Serco on behalf of ESA—she explores topics such as land and sea monitoring, natural disaster mapping, sea ice observations, and ship detection. This hands-on experience provides her with practical insights into managing complex operational challenges.

Furthermore, Sarah’s training includes mastering the technical details of satellite systems from inception to deployment. This holistic approach ensures she comprehensively understands the requirements and responsibilities of successfully operating a space mission.

Serco, leveraging over 60 years of global space expertise, launched a dedicated space division in the Middle East in 2023 to support regional talent and enhance regional capabilities.

Serco’s Middle East Graduate Space Programme, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and globally within Serco, reflects its commitment to fostering indigenous expertise and supporting Vision 2030 objectives.

Featured image: (L-R) Islam Alizada, Mona Al Thagafi, Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud, Sarah Al Habbas and Amar Vora, at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bonn, Germany. Credit: Serco