Libby Jackson
{{short description|British space exploration expert (born 1981)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
Elizabeth "Libby" Anne Jackson {{Post-nominals|country=GB|OBE|FRAeS}} (born 18 March 1981){{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Libby |title=How to get started in space BFOS |date=17 July 2014 |url=https://www.slideshare.net/UKSEDS/how-to-get-started-in-space-bfos}} is a British space exploration expert who works for the UK Space Agency.
Early life and education
Libby Jackson's enthusiasm for space travel started young, when, as a seven-year-old, she wrote a Travel Guide to Mars.{{Citation|last=Science Museum|title=Space Memory: Libby Jackson|date=2015-11-06|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ7jdR3ETbU|accessdate=2017-12-11}} Aged fifteen she attended [http://spaceschool.co.uk/ Space School], before choosing A-Levels in Physics, Maths, Further Maths and Music.{{Cite web|url=http://www.destinationspace.uk/meet-space-crew/libby-jackson/|title=Libby Jackson|website=www.destinationspace.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite book|title=A galaxy of her own : amazing stories of women in space|last=Libby|first=Jackson|isbn=978-1473553262|location=London|oclc=1009335446|date = 16 November 2017}} She developed an interest in human spaceflight aged seventeen, after shadowing a flight director at NASA Johnson Space Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/15486313.Swindon_spaceflight_expert_bound_for_TV_on_BBC2_s_Astronauts/|title=Swindon spaceflight expert bound for TV on BBC2's Astronauts|website=Swindon Advertiser|date=21 August 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-12-11}} She went on to complete a BSc in physics at Imperial College London in 2002 and an MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering at Cranfield University in 2003.{{Cite web|url=http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_14-12-2015-15-29-9|title=An Imperial alumnus is helping Tim Peake inspire a new generation of astronauts|website=Imperial College London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226014446/http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_14-12-2015-15-29-9|archive-date=2015-12-26|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-12-10}}
Career
After graduating from Cranfield, Jackson worked as a graduate engineer at EADS Astrium.{{Cite web |last=Tatton |first=Fiona |date=2018-05-01 |title=We have lift-off: Making the impossible possible and pursuing my dream career in the space sector - Libby Jackson, Human Spaceflight and Microgravity Programme Manager for the UK Space Agency - Womanthology |url=https://www.womanthology.co.uk/lift-off-making-impossible-possible-pursuing-dream-career-space-sector-libby-jackson-human-spaceflight-microgravity-programme-manager-uk-space-agency/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Womanthology: Homepage |language=en-US}} From 2007, Libby Jackson worked at Europe's control centre for the International Space Station (ISS) as a flight instructor and controller at the Columbus Control Centre.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2016/may/19/how-many-people-put-astronaut-in-space|title=How many people does it take to put an astronaut in space?|last=Lyons|first=Tom|date=2016-05-19|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-12-11|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} She became director for the ISS European Space Agency (ESA) Columbus Module in 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://nationalspaceacademy.org/previous-keynote-speakers/342-libby-jackson|title=National Space Academy - Libby Jackson|website=nationalspaceacademy.org|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-12-11}} Jackson joined the UK Space Agency in 2014 and became spokesperson for Tim Peake's mission to the ISS.{{Cite web|url=https://swindonlink.com/uk-space-agencys-libby-jackson-is-a-rising-star/|title=UK Space Agency's Libby Jackson is a rising star {{!}} Swindon Link|last=Fitzgerald|first=Ben|website=swindonlink.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-12-11}} In 2016 and 2018, Jackson spoke at the National Student Space Conference, hosted by UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space ([http://ukseds.org/ UKSEDS]), the UK's national student space society.{{Cite web|url=http://ukseds.org/nssc2016/?p=speakers|title=UKSEDS National Student Space Conference|website=UKSEDS.org|access-date=2017-12-11}} She coordinated the UK Space Agency education and outreach programme for Peake's mission.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/alumni/imperial-alumni/alumni-stories/faculty-of-natural-sciences/|title=Faculty of Natural Sciences {{!}} Alumni {{!}} Imperial College London|website=www.imperial.ac.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-12-11}} She previously managed the Human Exploration Programme at the UK Space Agency, representing the UK's interest in human spaceflight and microgravity,{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-projects-look-at-the-impact-of-spaceflight-on-the-human-body|title=New UK projects look at the impact of spaceflight on the human body - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2017/surrey-team-wins-funding-experiments-could-help-humans-adapt-better-space|title=Surrey team wins funding for experiments that could help humans adapt better to space|work=University of Surrey - Guildford|access-date=2017-12-11|language=en}} and is currently the Head of Space Exploration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-year-honours-recognition-for-space-experts|title=New Year Honours recognition for space experts - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2023-01-04}}
In 2019 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by the University of Kent.{{Cite web|last=July 2019|first=Martin Herrema 1|title=Singer Ellie Goulding among those to receive honorary degrees from Kent - University of Kent|url=https://www.kent.ac.uk/news/kentlife/22111/singer-ellie-goulding-among-those-to-receive-honorary-degrees-from-kent|access-date=2020-06-04|website=The University of Kent|date=July 2019 |language=en-GB}} In 2023 she was awarded an Order of the British Empire "for services to the Space Sector" in the New Year Honours,{{Cite web |title=New Year Honours recognition for space experts |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-year-honours-recognition-for-space-experts |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}} and also the Leif Erikson Exploration History Award for "her tireless efforts in preserving the history of female astronauts and space professionals".{{Cite web |title=9th LEIF ERIKSON AWARDS HONOR PIONEERS OF EXPLORATION – The Exploration Museum |url=https://www.explorationmuseum.com/9th-leif-erikson-awards-press-release/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |language=en-US}}
In 2025, Jackson became the first "Head of Space" for the Science Museum, London, responsible for science communication and engagement, and supporting curators.{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Rebecca |date=2025-03-10 |title=Science Museum appoints first ever head of space |url=https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2025/03/science-museum-appoints-first-ever-head-of-space/#msdynttrid=SF6b5rDrh5DpgpGGMF0gpTBckWoFGBtEFao_rg0qZ0o |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Museums Association |language=en-US}}
Public engagement and outreach
Jackson works to improve the public perception of space science and engineering, contributing to mainstream media and speaking at large events.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34017647/one-directions-space-themed-drag-me-down-video-explained|title=One Direction's space-themed Drag Me Down video explained - BBC Newsbeat|last=Rosney|first=Daniel|date=2015-08-21|website=BBC Newsbeat|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite web|url=https://amsat-uk.org/tag/stem/|title=STEM {{!}} AMSAT-UK|website=amsat-uk.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite web |url=http://oxfordstudent.com/2017/05/13/mars-2021-thoughts-author-martian-former-nasa-chief-scientist/|title=Mars by 2021? Thoughts from the author of 'The Martian' and the former NASA Chief Scientist |last1=Snelling |first1=Tara |date=13 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516122919/http://oxfordstudent.com/2017/05/13/mars-2021-thoughts-author-martian-former-nasa-chief-scientist/ |archive-date=2017-05-16 |website=The Oxford Student (OxStu) |language=en-GB |access-date=2018-04-15 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://live.newscientist.com/speakers/libby-jackson|title=Libby Jackson|work=New Scientist Live 2017|access-date=2017-12-11 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/libby-jackson-interview-for-heston-s-dinner-in-space|title=Libby Jackson interview for Heston's Dinner in Space - Channel 4 - Info - Press|website=www.channel4.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36537646|title=Tim Peake: What has he achieved?|last=Shukman|first=David|date=2016-06-17|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-12-11|language=en-GB}} In 2016, Jackson ran the London Marathon in an astronaut costume, whilst at the same event, Tim Peake became the first male to run a marathon in space.{{Cite web|url=https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/news-media/latest-news/item/peake-s-partners-in-space-suits-to-open-london-marathon-expo/|title=Latest News {{!}} Peake's partners in space suits to open London Marathon Expo|website=www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com|access-date=2017-12-11}} She was part of the team awarded the Sir Arthur Clarke Award from the British Interplanetary Society in 2016 for the outreach activities surrounding Tim Peake's Principia Mission.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bis-space.com/2013/04/05/9719/sir-arthur-clarke-awards-winners|title=Sir Arthur Clarke Awards Winners|website=www.bis-space.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-11}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bis-space.com/2016/11/01/17995/winners-of-the-sir-arthur-clarke-awards-2016|title=Winners of the Sir Arthur Clarke Awards 2016|website=www.bis-space.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-11}} Her first book, A Galaxy of Her Own, was published in 2017.{{Cite book|url=https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1115040/a-galaxy-of-her-own/|title=A Galaxy of Her Own, Amazing Stories of Women in Space by Libby Jackson|date=16 November 2017 |publisher=www.penguin.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-12-11}} Her second book, Space Explorers, was published in 2020.{{Cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Libby |url=https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/libby-jackson/space-explorers/9781526362117/ |title=Space Explorers |publisher=Hachette Children's |year=2020 |isbn=9781526362117 |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Libby}}
Category:British women physicists
Category:English aerospace engineers
Category:British space scientists
Category:Women space scientists
Category:21st-century British women engineers
Category:21st-century British engineers