SGAC is proud to present the July 2021 Member of the Month!

SGAC Membership has been steadily growing throughout the years and among our teams there are many incredible young space enthusiasts who are being recognised for their hard work and contributions to the organisation. Continuing the amazing efforts SGAC members and events organizing teams have provided the network with, for July 2021, we are pleased to announce and congratulate: SG[France]2021 Organising Team Members – Member of the Month, July 2021!


Pauline Delande, SGAC NPoC of France and Our Giant Leap Co-Lead:

  “The SG[France]2021 organizing team has been doing an outstanding job since they started working on the event 8 months ago.

Thanks to the continuous dedication, energy and motivation of the whole team, the event has finally brought together more than 90 people (including 60+ delegates) onsite in Lille on July 3rd 2021 and has been a great success, despite the actual COVID-19 situation. Many delegates, experts, speakers and sponsors already provided excellent feedback about SG[France]2021.

In addition to working altogether in a very efficient manner, the SG[France]2021 organizing team has understood all SGAC processes very quickly and has been in close contact since the very beginning with all other relevant SGAC teams (SGAC Event Coordination Team, PR&Comm, Finances, Strategic Partnerships… etc). SG[France]2021 has been the first (and only so far) SGAC on-site event since the beginning of 2021.

A big thanks and congratulations to the whole team: Tania Gres, Pablo Miralles, Quentin Parpaite, Will Lao, Min Cui, Emma Baltide, Raphael Mena Morales, Simon Hamel, Gueorguy Serafimov, Antoine Bocquier, Marine Laumain, Valentin Benoit and Charles Govillot.”

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“I’m super proud of the team, this recognition reflects exactly the quality of the work made by all of us for the past 8 months. Thank you so much for everyone that helped in some ways!”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

I’ve learned once again that team work is always better than what an individual can do. Passion for Space can do wonderful things and belonging to a worldwide community is so rewarding. 

Tania, is there a motivational quote you feel guided by?

“Think about the reward in the end. If you keep working hard, you’ll enjoy the result even more.”

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“I feel honored and proud that SGAC has noticed our efforts.”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

Everything is 10x harder to organize than it actually looks like from the outside.

Pablo, is there a motivational quote you feel guided by?

“Try to keep in mind the end-goal, and optimize for it. Although it’s easy to get sidetracked in the day to day of a project, keeping in mind what motivated you to join it helps you see it through.”

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“Surprised and happy. Thank you All very much!”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

“Working with people who share the same passion as you, it is just amazing: learning from each other, there is humor at work and it is nice to spend time with the team.”

Min, is there a motivational quote you feel guided by? 

I’m guided by simple facts, such as:

  1. Do what you love.
  2. Spend time with people who inspire you.

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“This recognition means a lot. Thank you!”

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“Awesome and not expected!”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

A lot of organisation is needed for this kind of event (more than I initially thought) but this has been amazing, the event managers have really been there to support us during the moments of hard work. And the team was awesome, meeting all the members after 8 months of preparation has been so nice!!

Marine, tell us your advice for the young SpaceGen’ers!

Go for it and enjoy the meeting of team members, delegates, experts, inspirational speakers!

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“Honored, delighted and very glad for the whole team and adventure we lived together.”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

Working as a team can defeat any pandemic ! 🙂

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“Grateful for the reconnaissance of the work provided for this event. Also very happy to share this with the entire organising team.”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

Teamwork is great. With some individual initiatives and great team dynamics we can achieve great things.

Gueorguy, tell us your advice for the young SpaceGen’ers!

Peter Parker’s uncle quote: 

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“Thank you so much! We are very thankful for this recognition of our efforts and teamwork!”

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“Thankful and surprised. But I’d like to highlight that this event couldn’t have been a success without the team we had, and the support of SGAC leadership and support groups. Once again, SGAC proves that by working together, we can go the extra mile and accomplish great things that would not be possible otherwise.”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

I got to understand how SGAC works and its organisation. I also got a feel of how diverse the space industry is, and I loved seeing how space engineering helps us every day on Earth. But the most important thing was that I got to meet like-minded and driven people, who want to make a change and have a vision.

Raphael, is there a motivational quote you feel guided by? 

Short story, if you’d allow me:

“Two space mice on a mission fell into a moon crater. 

The first mouse started eating its way into the walls surrounding it, and through pain and effort, reached the top and came out of the crater. 

The second mouse just jumped out, and thanks to the moon gravity, arrived safe and sound out of the crater, next to the first one.

I think this story, shamelessly inspired from Frank Abagnale’s two mice and bucket story, shows a few things :

– For the people who are just starting their careers, working hard and long hours can seem tempting, and might even bring you to success; but you might arrive too tired to follow up on what’s next. Try working smarter instead, by understanding the environment you’re in, and its new opportunities.

– There is never only one path to success. And to add to that, the journey might matter more than the end result. Say the two mice get stuck underground, the first mouse will have an advantage as it will already have the experience to crawl out. 

– Finally, whatever Life brings to you, doubt is the only true enemy you will encounter. Have a vision, and then try to use the opportunities you have to reach it. Ultimately, you only have control on the way you react to what happens.”

This is coming from someone who’s still quite young, so the best way to use it is to reach out to the more experienced people around you and try to challenge it with them. 🙂

And never forget to have fun, life’s short !

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“Surprised and glad our efforts were noticed. Thank you very much!”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

Working with a team I met nice people.

Simon, is there a motivational quote you feel guided by?

The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn’t have a space program. 🙂

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“It’s amazing! We feel very grateful and are pleased that the event on which we put so much effort is rewarding like this!”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

Teamwork is great. With some individual initiatives and great team dynamics we can achieve great things.

Quentin, tell us your advice for the young SpaceGen’ers!

Reach for the Moon! Even if you fall short, you’ll land among the stars.

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“I am glad that this experience turned out to be a success. I enjoyed being part of it and building a nice experience for the SGAC delegates. Working together and staying motivated, not knowing if we could have in the end an in-person event, brought us together even though the majority of us didn’t know each other before starting the project and all of it would not have been possible without all the dedication of the SG[France]2021 team members. I think this award well reflects all the hard work we have accomplished over the months with the help of the SGAC teams.”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

Putting together this event was not an easy thing taking into account the sanitary crisis. We worked during our free time with a lot of uncertainties which led to a lot of backup plans. Working together was key to not lose track of the tasks to be done and working in a group remotely requires adaptation and good communication between the different teams. Following a good road-map with deadlines helps a lot.

Emma, is there a motivational quote you feel guided by?

“Determination and hard work always pays off and this is true for any kind of project.”

First Reactions receiving the nomination

“I am already very proud to be part of the SG[France]2021 team. Receiving this award would be the symbol of friendships born out of the same passion for Space and for sharing it with other people.”

From Planning to the Big event – what were your lessons?

During those few months, I learnt how to commit myself to an adventure in the long run, to work with friends from a distance and what makes me feel proud when the participants come and thank us for the amazing time they spent during a day.

Willy, is there a motivational quote you feel guided by?

“May the road less paved be the road that you follow.”