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 ...
09/10/2026
September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026
New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
02/10/2026
v1.9.3 introduces AUv3 support
Roland have just released an update that kits their free iPad-based software synth out with AUv3 support, meaning it can now ...
02/10/2026
Dolby Atmos support, AI-powered stem separation & more
The latest version of MOTU's DAW software is now available, and marks a major step forward with t...
02/10/2026
Portable DAC created in collaboration with Steve Levine
British hi-fi experts iFi audio have unveiled a new Master Tuned variant of their praised iDSD GR2 p...
02/10/2026
In our latest blog, Tim Pearson looks at streaming piracy from a different lens, focusing on digital trust, consumer risk, and the future of subscriber protecti...
02/10/2026
Featuring performances recorded in Cork, Kilkenny, Wesmeath and Dublin culminati...
02/10/2026
Friday 2 October 2026
Crystal Lake, a Friday the 13th' prequel series, com...
02/10/2026
Friday 2 October 2026
Sky VIP helps families celebrate the Christmas season wit...
02/10/2026
How the fertility sector in Ireland remains unregulated
Undercover filming reveals how without proper regulation the promotion of controversial fertility treat...
02/10/2026
Transforming Homes, Transforming Lives
Presenter Baz Ashmawy and his team take on four life-changing builds across Kildare, Limerick, Wicklow and Offaly in the...
01/10/2026
Third collaboration with celebrated composer
Spitfire Audio have once again teamed up with Grammy-nominated composer, producer and technologist BT, creating...
01/10/2026
FL Studio gets dedicated grid controller
Novation have teamed up with FL Studio developers Image-Line to create another dedicated controller for the popular...
01/10/2026
Six new USB interfaces introduced
Universal Audio's USB audio interface line-up has just been refreshed, gaining six new models aimed at musicians, prod...
01/10/2026
Siretta's SNYPER-5G cellular network analyser has been shortlisted for the IoT Global Awards 2026.
The IoT Global Awards recognise products, services and o...
01/10/2026
Mesh Broadcast Services Fits Big-Truck Audio Power into Compact Eclipse Unit with Calrec Argo M Canadian OB company Mesh Broadcast Services has fitted its Eclip...
01/10/2026
X-Rite Pantone Launches Spectura to Advance Connected Color Quality from Lab to ...
01/10/2026
Thursday 1 October 2026
Nominees revealed for 2026 Sky Arts Awards
Current slide, 0 0, undefined1
0
Irish National Opera and Jennifer Walshe: MARS
Jacob Al...
01/10/2026
Vital TV antenna replaced at SudburyHelicopter and broadcast engineers work together to upgrade TV services for 1.5M in the East
--
Share to Linkedin
Octobe...
01/10/2026
Arqiva appoints Simon Duffy as ChairSimon Duffy joins as Chair effective 01 October 2026
--
Share to Linkedin
October 1, 2026
Press Office
01 October 2026...
01/10/2026
Season 4 of the multi-award-winning hit entertainment series The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In is back, serving up another round of unpredictable laughs, unforg...
01/10/2026
New season begins Sunday, 4 October at 6pm on RT lyric fm and RT Listen
RT lyric fm's arts and culture documentary series The Lyric Feature returns on S...
01/10/2026
RT is proud to continue its commitment to supporting and celebrating the arts across Ireland this October, highlighting a vibrant programme of theatre, music, ...
30/09/2026
Add an envelope generator to any plug-in
Sync Audio's latest creation is a handy utility plug-in that can be used to combine and modulate other effects ...
30/09/2026
All-analogue tape-style drive joins Series A
Strymon's reputation was built on their digital knowhow, so many were surprised (and intrigued) when they a...
30/09/2026
Two new expansion packs released
Sonuscore have just introduced two new expansion packs for The Pulse, its production engine instrument for modern cinematic...
30/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...
30/09/2026
New Solution Expands Harmonic's Network Intelligence Portfolio and Brings Comcast-Developed Fiber Monitoring Technology to Broadband Operators, Providing Re...
30/09/2026
How to Shop Well Now starts Monday at 9.35pm
on RT One and RT Player
On the...
29/09/2026
Two new plug-ins launch alongside updated bundles
Zynaptiq have just announced the launch of two new plug-ins, alongside new and improved versions of two of...
29/09/2026
All-in-one bus processor revealed
Wes Audio's ng product range has come a long way since it was first introduced, and now includes a tasty selection of ...
29/09/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
29/09/2026
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN, OR AT ANY ADDRESS IN, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITO...
29/09/2026
We tend to think we live in a digital world, with hopes and fears around artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, data centres and the next big technolo...
29/09/2026
Today, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Apple relea...
29/09/2026
Final Cut Camera, the professional filming app for iPhone, receives a major upda...
29/09/2026
RT lyric fm is proud to announce the annual Choirs for Christmas competition callout. Warm up those vocal chords and join us on RT lyric fm for a celebration ...
28/09/2026
EQ plug-in can now be played via MIDI
Scaler Music have recently released a new and improved version of their patented musical EQ plug-in, kitting it out wi...
28/09/2026
New synth developed in collaboration with philterSoup
Boutique effects pedal and Eurorack manufacturer Animal Factory Amps have announced that the new compa...
28/09/2026
Rohde & Schwarz adds an integrated multi-channel pulse analysis option to its FS...
28/09/2026
Monday 28 September 2026
Sky launches Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps for millions of homes
Sky has launched a new Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps product, rolling out from today, gi...
28/09/2026
Arvato Systems Highlights It's Role for Automotive Manufacturers and Suppliers
TISAX
Arvato Systems has successfully completed the TISAX Level 3 assess...
28/09/2026
Crimecall, presented by Carla O'Brien, returns tonight for a brand new series at 9.35pm on RT One and RT Player.
In tonight's episode, alongside appe...
28/09/2026
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AT THE HEART OF NEW IRISH WRITING
LIVE FROM POETRY IRELAND, DUBLIN AND ON RT RADIO 1 FROM 7PM
DETAILS: www.rte.ie/writing | FOLLOW: #r...
27/09/2026
New compact pedal packs in 120 effects
The latest multi-effects pedal from Boss is a compact unit that promises to give any pedalboard a massive boost in s...
26/09/2026
Launched alongside three new expansion packs
In celebration of their 30th anniversary, Native Instruments have released a major update for their Maschine 3 ...
25/09/2026
Algorithm update & new DVA vibrato-detection engine
A new flagship version of Antares' iconic pitch-correction software has arrived, and along with a co...
25/09/2026
New flagship unit to arrive in early 2027
Two notes Audio Engineering have revealed that a new and improved version of their hugely popular reactive load bo...
Anne Lellinger, senior manager of space operations training at SES, tells TVBEurope how shes spent 20 years delivering TV content to homes across Europe
