The human dimension
I wanted to meet her again in Noordwijk, where she lives and works, to understand and tell a part of her life that often remains invisible. There is a quiet balance in her daily routine, as if the complexity of her work requires simplicity as a form of grounding. Just half an hour from her home lies ESTEC, the European Space Research and Technology Centre, where ESA’s space missions are conceived, tested, and refined. Barbara works at the intersection of engineering, coordination, and human responsibility: her role demands deep technical knowledge, but above all the ability to connect disciplines, people, and visions.
Photo: Lorenzo Morandi
Conversation: Lorenzo Morandi, Barbara Nucera
LM:
In your work, knowledge is never an individual possession, but a continuous transfer. It is necessary to understand enough to find one’s way, while also recognising when it is necessary to rely on more specialised expertise and to accept a responsibility that is always shared.
BN:
I believe individual contribution is fundamental, but it must then take its place within a true concert of voices. It is through constant dialogue, the exchange of ideas and open discussion that we are able not only to orient ourselves, but above all to imagine alternatives, find new solutions and make informed decisions. No one works in isolation: each person brings their own experience as an integral part of a team. It is the role of those who coordinate to recognise, value and harmonise individual competencies, so that they can be used in the most effective way toward a shared goal.
LM:
In a place like ESTEC, where everything seems governed by systems, procedures and tests, what truly holds things together often appears invisible: a network of relationships, mutual listening and trust built over time. This is where work takes shape and supports projects.
BN:
Building a solid and wide-ranging network of relationships is a critical aspect of this work. Our projects are complex and require the involvement of multiple groups within ESA, industrial partners and other international agencies. When it is possible to create a context based on collaboration, transparency and trust, work progresses more smoothly, solutions emerge more quickly, and the quality of the results improves naturally.
For me, the human dimension is the true backbone of every project. What makes the difference is not only the professional expertise each person brings, but also the personal dimension: how we relate to one another, how we deal with cultural differences, how we build respect and mutual understanding. These are the elements that sustain the work in the most challenging moments, when difficulties arise and what is needed goes beyond technical skills to include trust, listening and a shared vision.
Before moving to ESTEC, I worked for several years in Houston as ESA’s representative with our partner NASA. In that role, I had to learn how to recognise and work with this invisible thread that connects people and organisations. Building these relationships took time, but they continue to generate value even today, three years later, as I work on a new project.
LM:
Faced with the impressive scale of resources, costs and complexity involved in these missions, what remains essential is something simple and deeply human: the life and safety of the astronauts. This responsibility cannot be confined to working hours, but requires an attitude that accompanies us every day; a form of constant attention that weaves into daily life and calls for finding, each time, a possible balance.
BN:
Astronaut safety is our absolute priority. For this reason, all our systems are designed with redundancy criteria and subjected to rigorous testing, so that every potential risk can be identified, analysed and mitigated. Our goal is certainly mission success, but even in the presence of anomalies or failures, it is our responsibility to ensure that they do not result in fatal consequences.
Past accidents serve as a constant reminder: they underline the importance of never lowering our level of attention and of never underestimating any signal. They are an ongoing lesson and an essential reference that drives us to improve, day after day, our systems and our processes.
It should also be remembered that astronauts work with us from the very early phases of system preparation. They are not abstract figures, but colleagues, often friends, with whom deep bonds are formed. This makes the commitment to their safety and to ensuring comfortable living conditions in flight even more personal and deeply felt. It is a duty we assume with the utmost seriousness, but also an honour that gives meaning and value to our work.