Solderjoint_No2_Magazin - Flipbook - Page 65
Aerospace Projects demand
deep Collaboration –
connecting Scientists and
Engineers
Interview with aerospace engineering expet
Örs Hunor Detre
What does soldering mean to you as an engineer –
craft, science, or both?
Definitely both – no question about it! Soldering is
where science, engineering, and craft all come
together. There are often many different ways
to solve a micro-soldering challenge, and choosing
the right one requires not just technical knowledge,
but also a steady hand, experience, and the kind of
intuition that only comes with practice. It’s a beautiful
blend of precision and artistry.
Örs, do you remember the first time you looked up at
the stars and thought, “I want to be part of this”?
Absolutely – I still remember it clearly. I was a small kid
playing ELITE on my Commodore 64. The graphics
were just simple vector lines, but in my imagination, I
was truly traveling among the stars. I knew even then
that humanity might never reach the nearest star from
our solar system, but astronomers could observe them
– and that was just as magical. Later, studying
astronomy opened my eyes to the beauty and scale
of the universe, while physics helped me understand
how it all works.
Örs, what was your exact role in the development of
the James Webb Space Telescope?
As Electrical Lead of the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI),
my core responsibility was overseeing the design, integration, and verification of the instrument’s electrical subsystems. But what made the experience truly
exceptional was the chance to contribute far beyond
my official role. Thanks to my background in both
science and engineering, I became deeply involved
in detector testing, system-level calibration, and even
the preparation of early science programs for JWST.
It was a rare opportunity to tackle complex,
multidisciplinary challenges within one of the most
talented international teams imaginable. Truly a
once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What were the biggest technical or personal challenges you faced working with international space
agencies?
I’ve always been drawn to the “hard nuts” – engineering problems without obvious solutions. At MPIA, I was
responsible for three of MIRI’s mechanisms, among the
most complex parts of any space instrument. A single
faulty component under cryogenic conditions could
threaten the whole mission.
I joined late in the process – the flight model was
already sealed in the vacuum chamber, with only ten
wires accessible. Simulations and test data didn’t
align. My task: find out why. Within nine months, I
developed a technique that turned the motors into
sensors, using back-EMF signals to measure position,
speed and acceleration with extreme precision. We
built a new simulation model that perfectly matched
reality.
The impact: we significantly reduced heat dissipation
and movement time – saving dozens of hours of telescope operation per year. When I jokingly asked if I
could use 1 0% of that time for personal research, the
answer was: “No. But big thank you in the name of the
science community.”
#SOLDERjoint
#2 – 2025
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