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Career lift off

An undergraduate Monash student's research thesis has allowed her the rare experience of watching a live space-shuttle launch in the US.

Olga Trivailo, who is in her final year of a double degree in Engineering (Electrical and Computer Systems) and Commerce (Finance), was at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre to witness the launch of the Atlantis space shuttle earlier this year.

Ms Trivailo attended the launch with staff from German aeronautics, defence and space company Astrium EADS, where she is currently completing an undergraduate engineering thesis.

Astrium EADS played a lead role in the design and construction of the Columbus space laboratory, which was on its way to the International Space Station aboard the Atlantis.

Ms Trivailo said she considered herself fortunate to see the launch because they were often delayed due to technical issues and bad weather.

"A large crowd of people gathered, all eagerly anticipating the shuttle lift-off while dreading the possible announcement that it may have to be delayed," she said

   Engineering student Olga Trivailo, who is undertaking research at an international space company, watched a live space shuttle launch in the US.
Engineering student Olga Trivailo, who is undertaking research at an international space company, watched a live space shuttle launch in the US.

"To a background of jubilant applause the shuttle launch went off without a hitch and we all watched on as the Atlantis glided its way through the sky."

After completing six weeks of a twelve-week internship at Astrium EADS, Ms Trivailo was invited back to complete a six-month undergraduate thesis.

She is working in the avionics department, researching whether the avionics technology developed for new major passenger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 can be adapted for implementation in manned space missions.

Once she graduates from Monash Ms Trivailo plans to return to Europe to continue her research into the industry.

"The space industry is approaching a very interesting and challenging phase in the next decade," she said.

"Having a finance degree will mean that I can also potentially get into the organisational side of the industry, although the lure of the technical and engineering side is also highly appealing."