Alex Erlank

Lead Launch Vehicle Avionics Engineer at Orbex Space

Alex Erlank has worked in the field of electronic engineering for over a decade. In 2009, they began their career as an intern at Fleck Gmbh, where they worked with senior engineers on industrial system automation projects. During their PhD studies in 2014, they worked part-time as an Electronic Engineer at the Surrey Space Centre, where they were responsible for the design and development of the Payload Interface Computer on a CubeSat named SMESAT. In 2017, they joined Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) as an Electronic Design Engineer, where they were responsible for the design and testing of new hardware, primarily related to imaging systems. In 2019, they moved to ORBITAL SOLUTIONS MONACO as an Electronic Engineer, where they were responsible for full-satellite avionics design. Finally, in 2021, they joined Orbex as a Lead Launch Vehicle Avionics Engineer and Senior Mixed Signal Design Engineer, where they were responsible for contributing to system-level and PCB-level avionics design, and was the co-designer and product owner of the Orbex Prime Launch Vehicle Main Flight Computer.

Alex Erlank obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Stellenbosch University between 2008 and 2011. Alex then went on to obtain a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Satellite Systems from Stellenbosch University between 2012 and 2013. Finally, they obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Surrey Space Center - Onboard Data Handling from the University of Surrey between 2014 and 2017.

Links


Timeline

  • Lead Launch Vehicle Avionics Engineer

    December, 2022 - present

  • Senior Mixed Signal Design Engineer

    May, 2021