Anne Lellinger, senior manager of space operations training at SES, tells TVBEurope how shes spent 20 years delivering TV content to homes across Europe
By Contributor
Published: September 30, 2024 Updated: October 1, 2024
Anne Lellinger, senior manager of space operations training at SES, tells TVBEurope how she's spent 20 years delivering TV content to homes across Europe
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin> Anne Lellinger, senior manager of space operations training at SES, tells TVBEurope how she's spent 20 years delivering TV content to homes across Europe
https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/people/meet-the-senior-manager-of-space-operations-training title=Share via Email class=share-email>
Talk us through an average day in your role SES has nearly 70 satellites in space, in both the geostationary (GEO) and medium earth (MEO) orbits. We have a team of almost 50 satellite controllers working in our satellite operations centres in Betzdorf, Luxembourg and in the United States in Bristow, Virginia. The controllers actively monitor and control our satellites and ensure everything is working correctly on these spacecraft. Together with our engineering teams, they take the necessary steps to address any issues that might occur.
Anne Lellinger, senior manager of space operations training at SES As SES's senior manager of space operations training, I oversee the company's strategy and programmes associated with the training for our satellite controllers. This includes our engineering-driven certification process and a training program that fulfils all the requirements the controllers need to do their jobs. It's an exciting and challenging role since space technology is always changing, and our customers, including broadcasters and others in the media industry, rely on us to offer satellite-based content delivery and connectivity 24/7 for their businesses and their customers.
When you prepare satellite controllers to take over control of a spacecraft, a key aspect of the training is to make sure that they have all relevant information at their fingertips in due time. A second, but equally important, part of our job is to make sure that the new controllers feel 100 per cent confident to do the job when being in charge. To assess whether the required level of comfort and confidence is reached, I usually observe how controllers engage with a satellite and its systems by being in the same room and looking over their shoulder. Collecting this kind of non-verbal information is of the utmost importance before engaging into the final assessment, where their system level understanding, both practical and theoretical, is tested.
How did you get started in the media industry? I grew up in Germany surrounded by many family members who were educators, so I've always had a natural curiosity and desire to learn about new things, including maths and science. That evolved into a deeper interest in physics, engineering and space, and I eventually got my university degree in electrical engineering.
My academic focus on science led me to SES and my first job out of college 20 years ago as SES's first female satellite controller. This is also how I was introduced to the media industry as I was managing some of the company's GEO satellites delivering TV content to homes across Europe. To this day this remains a key market for us as SES works with TV and multi-screen content providers around the world to deliver content and services to their customers via satellites, including our newest ASTRA 1P that launched earlier this year.
What training did you have before entering the industry? Although I had my engineering degree, I didn't have any practical experience with satellites or space or the media industry. Much of what I know today has been on the job learning, our specialised training and my personal curiosity about space and how things work. Taking that initial leap, and SES believing in me from the start, were both pivotal for me in getting started in this industry and in shaping my entire career so far.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry? My role at SES brings together all the things I love - science, space, education and training. On top of that, satellite and space technologies are always advancing, so there's a constant need for our team and I to continue to grow our knowledge. Nothing motivates me more than helping our controllers learn and develop the skills they need to keep our multi-orbit satellite fleet operating seamlessly.
We're also working with customers across a wide number of industries - from cloud, energy, aviation, maritime and enterprises to media broadcasters and content providers - all of which have unique requirements and demands, which keeps things interesting. But they all have one thing in common too - they rely on us to deliver fast, reliable satellite-based connectivity that is crucial to their business.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours? For anyone starting jobs in various technical fields - follow your passion and keep learning and expanding your skills and look for companies that will recognise, support and value your contributions. I've been fortunate that SES is such a place. Not only did they hire me as the company's first ever female controller, but they supported my continuing education as I received an advanced physics degree, and then promoted me to my current role overseeing all satellite controller training.
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
09/06/2026
Last month, Spotify hosted PURE FLOWERS LIVE, a special event celebrating the re...
09/06/2026
Last month, RADAR U.K. artist Skye Newman took the stage in East London for a sp...
09/06/2026
Company to cease operating on 30 June 2026
Australian loudspeaker and amplifier manufacturer Wayne Jones Audio have announced that after much consideration,...
09/06/2026
Increases low-end weight and character
The latest plug-in release from Sheffield-based fedDSP aims to offer an all-in-one solution for users in search of mo...
09/06/2026
Introduces AI Studio Assistant, Moises Studio integration & more
Fender Studio have just announced the launch a significant update that brings an array of n...
09/06/2026
The BBC has found its Hercule Poirot.
After Deadline revealed last month that t...
09/06/2026
X-Rite Pantone Launches Offset360 to Modernize Color Control Across Existing Pre...
09/06/2026
09 Jun 2026
VEON Appoints Serkan Ozturk as Chief of Staff & Strategy Officer Dubai and New York, June 9, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital oper...
09/06/2026
Tuesday 9 June 2026
Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, a candid and unfiltered accou...
09/06/2026
Enni Continues to Rely on Arvato Systems - And Will Be Using AEP.EnerS4 Billing Solution
Arvato Systems to implement transformation project for SAP S/4HANA Ut...
09/06/2026
These special programmes will highlight RT 's connection with the Irish diaspora
This year, RT is marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland with...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Plus, 20% off TVs ahead of kick-offMonday 8 June 2026
Sky introduces Real Time...
08/06/2026
FOX Secures Live NFL Game Package in Mexico Starting in Fall 2026 Agreement Features Thursday Night Football, Sunday Games Package, Thanksgiving Day Games, al...
08/06/2026
FOX One, FOX Sports and Indeed Name Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto as FOX One C...
08/06/2026
Meet us on the show floor
Stand #286310 Discover Nara, the media management tool used by major facilities including Harbor and Molinare.
Nara v2 introduces re...
08/06/2026
L'art de l'Image dans Reflet dans un diamant mort' Une conversation avec le directeur de la photographie Manuel Dacosse, SBC et l' talonneur Pe...
08/06/2026
Embracing today's modern media workflows: FilmLight presents Nara 2.0, with FilmLight API Designed to support the growing demands of today's production ...
08/06/2026
Moderated by Andy Minuth, FilmLight's Colour Workflow Specialist
Wednesday 18 February
6:00pm / Doors open
7:00pm / Presentation in German
8:00pm / Drin...
08/06/2026
Join us on April 14 at 10:00am for a technical roundtable with the Filmlight dev...
08/06/2026
You're invited to FLAPI Classroom The fundamentals of coding and machine-assisted development
These sessions will help you build the skills needed to cre...
08/06/2026
With Sylvain Canaux (St Louis, Paris) and J r me Cloutier (MELS, Montreal)
Wednesday 6 May
Pick your time: 1:00PM / 5:00PM
Note: The presentation will be hel...
08/06/2026
FilmLight, 1107 N El Centro Ave, Los Angeles
Doors open at 3:30pm
Join the FilmLight team on June 9th at 4pm to learn how FilmLight products and APIs can stre...
08/06/2026
The Creators List launched to Help Brands Connect With Top Creators In CannesThe curated directory launched by Tubefilter, Comscore, Whalar Group and Gospel Sta...
08/06/2026
Irish YouTube star DavidMC joins Aisling O'Reilly to tackle all things socce...
07/06/2026
Company introduce 21 new protective covers
Decksaver have just announced their Sping 2026 Drop, which sees a total of 21 new models added to their ever-grow...
07/06/2026
Sunday 7 June 2026
Dynamo Vs Houdini comes to Sky later this year
The last time the world saw Dynamo, he buried himself alive. This weekend, he returned.
Mom...
06/06/2026
Check Out Leading Monitor Brands
We'll have monitors of all shapes and sizes at GearExpo UK, so whether you're looking to upgrade or expand your set...
06/06/2026
Two Originals offerings join MPC line-up
Following on from their partnership announcement at NAMM 2026, Spitfire Audio and Akai Pro have announced the relea...
05/06/2026
Built from the same recordings as flagship library
Sonuscore's LUX Orchestral Strings has been met with widespread praise since its launch in late 2025,...
05/06/2026
High-end converter, interface & headphone amp upgraded
Said to represent the next evolution of RME's all-in-one reference converter concept, the all-new...
05/06/2026
Win a Soundgas Type 636P & Type G preamps
Soundgas, one of the UK's leading vintage and boutique audio equipment specialists have just announced the lau...
05/06/2026
New leadership of Technology Systems Division at Rohde & Schwarz On July 1, 2026, Hansj rg Herrbold and Andreas H gele will take over as Executive Vice Presid...
05/06/2026
Hitachi and Intel announced a strategic collaboration to explore opportunities t...
05/06/2026
05 Jun 2026
VEON's Kyivstar to Expand Digital Mobility Ecosystem with Acqui...
05/06/2026
RT Radio 1 Folk Awards to take place on Tuesday 10th November 2026, Vicar Street, Dublin
Moya Brennan, D nal Lunny, Mary Black and Christy Moore among previou...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
Anne Lellinger, senior manager of space operations training at SES, tells TVBEurope how shes spent 20 years delivering TV content to homes across Europe
