Since his time as a lecturer at the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, aerospace engineer Steven Raqué’s career has led him to positions at NASA and his current role as principal systems engineer at Blue Origin. Here is a chat with him about his experience working on the recent New Shepard mission, the future of space travel and reconnecting with his former student Emily Calandrelli before her incredible journey.
The public usually sees the grand finale of a launch. Can you describe your role as an aerospace systems engineer and some of the everyday, ‘behind the scenes’ work that goes into creating a successful launch like this one?
The hard work starts with the vehicle design years prior to a launch. The aerospace domain is one of trade-offs because the operating environments and performance demands are extreme. Safety is always the top of the list but things like power, mass and data require optimization for customer needs. Engineers verify that the system meets those requirements, help the manufacturing team build the best system possible and ensure the best information is available to the operational personnel so they can make informed decisions during the launch operation.
Memory and verbal communication do not suffice for the many physical parts and complex software of aerospace systems to safely achieve a mission. Behind the glamour of the launch day, an aerospace systems engineer has spent months coordinating and documenting every detail of the system. Teamwork is essential to getting this done well. Our peers review what we do and we help each other get all the details right.
What have you learned or how have you grown in your field/expertise working on New Shepard and/or at Blue Origin?
Though I’ve spent 26 years in aerospace and worked on a lot of spacecrafts, most of my experience has not been on launch vehicles (rockets). I’ve learned a lot about modern rocket engines and the important aspects of reusable launch vehicles. Reusable rockets were not around when I started my career.
What’s been the most challenging aspect of this launch?
My role doesn’t require me to be on the launch site during missions. Being on site for this launch was very insightful and will help me make better decisions as we evolve our systems. It’s crucial to understand what makes a system easy to operate and maintain.
What’s been the most rewarding/exciting?
I was thrilled to have a few minutes with Emily after one of her training sessions on site. We were so happy to reconnect in-person after several years of not seeing each other. We caught up for a bit shared how our families were doing and enjoyed the amazingly small world that brings people’s careers together after years of being in different “orbits.”
How does it feel to see your former student Emily now as a successful engineer going to space?
I knew it would be special but it was more impactful than I imagined. I’ve followed Emily for a long time and have always felt connected to her mission as a father of two girls who have become engineers. I have remained connected to several of my former students some of whom are now my professional peers working in ISS mission control and as an engineering director of a space company. I have had the great pleasure to work with several in the years since and even had one of them as my manager! It has been very fulfilling to know that I influenced the careers of several young people.
You’ve had an extensive career in aerospace engineering. Can you share your insights on how you’ve seen the industry advance and change and your thoughts on the frontiers of space travel and technology?
The birth and growth of privately-funded space launch is a huge change. When I started all spaceflight was the domain of governments or companies funded by governments. Now we are seeing an explosion of commercially-funded rockets and space systems supported by non-government revenue streams. When I taught at WVU from 2008 to 2012 one part of the course was a writing assignment about the commercialization of spaceflight. At the time, the notion of truly private spaceflight was still very nascent. It was always interesting to see if students covered the topic with optimism or pessimism. And now I am part of it! Something I would not have believed 10 years ago. The next 10 years will be amazing. We’ll see more opportunities for regular folks to spend time in space on private space stations and likely small outposts on the Moon start to emerge. Ten years ago I never thought this would happen so soon.
What advice do you have for current Statler students and aspiring aero/systems engineers?
Your career is not always fun but be mindful that there is fun in your career. Find out what engineers do in their everyday work lives and decide if that is for you. Your university courses have to prepare you for many aspects of an engineering career. It can be hard to discern what professional life is like from classes. Seek internships or co-ops. I was in a co-op during college. After my first work rotation I came to class and connected many more of the “dots.” Your capstone design courses and competition teams like EcoCAR are other opportunities to get closer to an understanding of professional life. Seek out faculty that come from outside academia and ask them about professional life. An engineering career can’t be only about making money—make sure there’s something there that you dream about or are passionate about—not unlike Emily.
Is there anything we’ve missed that you think is important or interesting to share?
I enjoyed teaching more than anything else I have done in my professional career. For various reasons I had to stop but I sincerely hope that when I retire from full-time work that I can teach engineering again. Emily’s professional journey is an amazing story of determination risk taking and tough decisions. She is working to expand the number of young people who realize that STEM and especially space travel are not only dreams but can be their reality. She is breaking down barriers both the ones that are real and the ones we build ourselves. I admire her greatly for that.
