ESA's Ian Carnelli: deflecting asteroids through humble leadership

In this episode of the Space Café Podcast, Markus dives into the fascinating world of planetary defense with Ian Carnelli from the European Space Agency (ESA). They discuss the monumental joint mission between ESA and NASA aimed at protecting Earth from possible asteroid impacts, reflecting on the long journey, challenges and successes of the project.

Host: frames
Guest: Ian Carnelli, HERA mission director, ESA

Guest background

Ian Carnelli is ESA's mission director and is deeply involved in the HERA mission, part of the planetary defense initiative. His journey towards space missions began almost two decades ago, leading him to play a crucial role in this groundbreaking project.

The origin of the mission

• Ian's entry into ESA: Ian shares his fortuitous entry into the ESA, beginning with a last-minute request inspired by a conversation at a barbecue.
• Initial challenges: The mission's conception faced numerous obstacles, including skepticism and funding issues.

The DART and HERA missions

• NASA DART Mission: The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) successfully impacted the asteroid Didymos, demonstrating deflection techniques.
• ESA HERA Mission: HERA, which will be launched to analyze the consequences of the DART impact, aims to collect detailed data on the altered state of the asteroid.

Overcome setbacks

• Funding struggles: Ian recounts the emotional rollercoaster of securing funding for the mission, including a major setback in 2016 and eventual success in 2020.
• Team dynamics: Build and maintain a motivated and cohesive team despite numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions.

Technical and logistical challenges

• Manufacturing problems: The mission faced several technical obstacles, from faulty components to manufacturing delays.
• Innovative solutions: The team's ability to adapt and find creative solutions to unexpected problems was crucial to the mission's progress.

Personal perspectives

• Leadership Philosophy: Ian emphasizes transparency, teamwork and leveraging individual strengths within his team.
• The human element: Despite technological advances, the success of the mission largely depended on the dedication and hard work of the team members.

Notable quotes

• Ian Carnelli: “I always told my teams or the people I work with how little I knew. But I had this vision and I wanted your help.”

Additional Resources

We love hearing from you

You can find us at Spotify and Apple Podcast!

Please visit us at SpaceWatch.Globalsubscribe to our newsletters. Follow us LinkedIn and Twitter!