Let's Space It. Theodor Neacsu

In this series of articles, we are introducing our colleagues behind ReOrbit technology. What brought them to the industry, their journeys towards humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier, lessons learnt and things they’d create if there were no technological limitations.

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Meet Theodor Neacsu, Systems Engineer at ReOrbit, who moved from aviation to space – and from Romania to Finland – and has been enjoying tackling issues related to the complexity of space systems ever since, who values the process of improvement more than single achievements and is convinced that space is not for fun.

Why did you choose space

Initially I had an interest to study aviation, because I always liked planes and wanted to learn more about the subject. While doing my bachelors, I got even more interested in launchers, which unavoidably led me to spacecraft. The aerospace field intrigued me because of the complexity of systems that were being designed and launched.

‍You started your career as

I was looking for opportunities to get into space starting from my final year at university and eventually found it. I had my first contact with the professional field of space (in regard to standards and processes) as a research assistant, in parallel with doing my masters.  

Upon graduation, I started working as a software engineer for flight dynamics at GMV. In 2021, I joined ReOrbit as a software engineer for simulation environment and later moved to systems engineering.

‍Your most memorable memory so far

To me, it is not about highlighted memories or peaks along the path, but the upward trajectory itself. I enjoy my journey of improvement here at ReOrbit, and, as cliché as it may sound, I strive to be better than I was yesterday.

‍Your most valuable lesson so far

Two major things learnt so far (but the good news is that the lesson is not over, I’m still learning a lot): to be adaptable, when you need to address multiple tasks from widely different perspectives, and to be comfortable with not knowing everything. In a nutshell, embrace the joy of not knowing and change.

‍The one thing that makes you smile

When I finally figure out a solution for an issue I have been working on. It is that moment when you resolve a problem in a code or understand how to do an analysis in order to obtain the results you need, that you see clearly the cause-and-effect relationship, and it makes my work so rewarding.

‍What nobody prepared you for

Change of pace from the way how things were done during my studies to how they are carried out at work. Known patterns and step-by-step approach prevail at university, whereas at work you need to figure out unknown methods with unknown inputs on your own. It makes it more challenging but also more interesting.

‍Imagine there are no technological limitations, what do you wish you could design/create in the space sector

In the most futuristic scenario, anything is possible. But reality is that which engineering is a trade-off between getting an outcome and abiding technological limitations.
We can try to imagine how engineering would look like in the future, with all the advancements in material science, energy storage, propulsion in place. I would think that given these resources, humans could venture somewhat easier into deep space. Once various challenges, related to space exploration, are resolved – and here we are talking about waste, resource storage, side effects of being trapped in a confined space, and the list goes on – then I’d like to contribute to mission-planning and analysis. One thing I’m certain about is that whatever reasons for space travel there would be – political, economic, ecological or other – it won’t be for space tourism.  
Space flight systems are cool, but space is not for fun. Business only.