Why This Spaceflight Engineer Got an MBA From Warwick Business School | Meet Our Change Makers

Warwick Business School
Warwick Business SchoolApr 7, 2026

Why It Matters

By merging technical expertise with business strategy, engineers can accelerate affordable space missions, making the sector more agile and attractive to investors.

Key Takeaways

  • Engineer pursued distance‑learning MBA to bridge tech and business.
  • MBA enhanced perspective on managing space projects efficiently.
  • Experience includes ISS flight control and mountain astronomy club.
  • Goal: make space missions quicker, diverse, affordable for humanity.
  • Embracing change drives personal growth and industry innovation.

Summary

The video profiles an aerospace engineer who combined a ten‑year career as an International Space Station flight controller with a distance‑learning MBA from Warwick Business School, illustrating how deliberate upskilling can reshape a technical career.

After graduating from the University of Naples, he joined the space business, witnessing launches and managing ISS operations. In 2017 he enrolled in Warwick’s part‑time MBA to gain business acumen, describing the program as a “perfect complementary education” that broadened his horizon beyond pure engineering.

He recounts memorable moments such as stargazing trips with an astronomy club on mountain peaks, and emphasizes that “change is incredibly scary but also incredibly rewarding.” These anecdotes underscore his belief that personal curiosity fuels professional transformation.

Armed with both engineering and managerial tools, he now leads initiatives at his space agency aimed at delivering faster, more diverse, and cost‑effective space projects. His journey signals a growing industry trend where hybrid skill sets are essential for accelerating human spaceflight and attracting new talent.

Original Description

Meet Antonio, an engineer helping to push the boundaries of human spaceflight.
In 2017, Antonio joined an MBA at Warwick Business School. Discover the changes he made and how determination and curiosity drove him to shape the future of space exploration.
Antonio is a Change Maker. Bold, curious and determined to make a difference.

At Warwick Business School, we champion people who turn bold ideas into real impact. That's why change starts here.
► Discover Warwick Business School: https://www.wbs.ac.uk/
► Explore our MBA programmes: https://www.wbs.ac.uk/courses/mba/
► Find out more about our Change Makers: https://www.wbs.ac.uk/about/meet-our-change-makers/
In this video:
00:00 What does change mean to Antonio
00:58 After graduating from WBS
01:17 Why an MBA at WBS
01:53 The Future of Space Exploration

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