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Mike is a Senior Space Systems Engineer at Thales Alenia Space UK and has had an interest in astronomy from an early age, ever since hearing the inimitable voice of The Sky at Night. “Hearing the amazing Patrick Moore give a speech when I was 13 or 14 was a real turning point for me, and I hope will have a similar impact on some of the children taking part.”

Mike has been a space engineer since 2006, having studied Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Bristol. “I was in my fourth and final year at Bristol when the idea of working in the space industry really took root. I had always been interested in science but never considered actually working with spacecraft until that point.” After nine years in the industry, he’s never looked back.

I’ve never regretted my career choice and I feel there’s still a lot for me to do.” Mike Guest, Senior Space Systems Engineer, Thales Alenia Space UK

Martian contamination and a mission to Jupiter

Mike is currently based at the Thales Alenia Space UK site in Bristol where he is involved in a number of exciting projects, such as designing a mission to study the moons of Jupiter and building scientific equipment to study the effects of climate change from orbit.

However, it’s the planetary protection work that Mike enjoys the most. He says: “Working on how to prevent possible Martian life from contaminating Earth has been incredibly interesting. If there is life on Mars and we were able to bring back samples, we want to know how they would react to Earth’s atmosphere and if they could be a threat.”

Samples from Mars would have to be processed on Earth as the equipment necessary to analyse them would be too big to send to space. This brings about another issue: cross-contamination. “We have to ensure equipment going to Mars is biologically clean from Earth’s contamination and vice-versa with any samples brought back. The kit and the samples would have to be secured and completely protected in transit – exactly like a highly contagious disease – and then examined in a sterile and secure environment.”

“Although, this is nothing to be scared of as we really don’t think any Martian life could survive on Earth!”

Taking children to space

As the MARSBalloon team prepares for the imminent launch of Firestar, Mike reflects on what makes this STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) project so special. “MARSBalloon is an educational activity that takes children outside of the classroom. It’s really exciting for the children to know their experiments have gone into near space and then be able to see the results of their experiments for themselves.”

I love it when teachers ask to re-apply for the next launch with a new class as it feels like MARSBalloon is having a real impact on the children, whether it’s as a memorable school project or the beginning of something more meaningful."

MARSBalloon is intended to be fun, but it also reminds schoolchildren that the space industry in the UK is growing and looking for the next generation of engineers. “This is a very high-tech industry, as you would expect, but it’s also an industry full of enthusiastic and motivated individuals. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of the possible. For those with the right attitude and qualifications, there is definitely a place for them.”

Visit to see some of the experiments going to near space later this week!