His name is Sanel Babic. He was born in Sarajevo, grew up in Vlasenica and along with his family he was expelled in 1992, as well as all Bosniaks from Podrinje. His life, marked by difficult moments, was crowned with the work in “United Launch Alliance”, the largest missile company, which launches satellites and robots to Mars for NASA, and satellites for US military purposes.
“The last image before my last touch of the Bosnian ground are dozens of buses and thousands of mothers and children. We were maybe 2 weeks in Zagreb before six of us: mother, sister, aunt and two cousins, headed for Munich, Germany in workers’ bus,” said Sanel.
After primary school, he decided to focus on the field of electronics.
“After school I applied for a job at Siemens, where I was one of two candidates after the test, and I was chosen from 70 applicants. I worked for Siemens for only two weeks, when we found out that our residence permit will not be extended. As a student and worker I could stay, but without my family it was not an option,” said Sanel.
After six years of residence in Germany, this family had to start over in Berne, Indiana. They were the first and only foreigners there.
He completed 2 years of college for electronics in Indiana and he is working as specialized developer and electronics engineer in the “United Launch Alliance” in Denver, the largest missile company, which launches satellites and robots to Mars for NASA.
According to him, to be the first Bosniak and Bosnian in this space-launch industry is an honor, pride, as well as great responsibility. He states that Bosnians who live abroad quickly prove themselves on job, which is respected and appreciated.
“I am also participating on the NASA probes related to Pluto and the Sun, in supply of the International Space Station, and in the development of future visions for the Moon economics,” said Babic.
Today, Sanel lives with his family in Denver, where exists Bosniak community with over 300 families, that is populated at around 1,000 km2.
(Source: faktor.ba)
