Libby Jackson OBE Keynote Speaker
- Served as a Flight Director for the International Space Station in the European Space Agency’s Mission Control
- Previously Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency
- Currently Head of Space at the Science Museum
Libby Jackson OBE's Biography
Libby Jackson OBE is one of Britain’s leading experts in human spaceflight, having spent nearly two decades working at the forefront of the field. Her passion for space ignited in childhood, leading her to pursue a degree in physics at Imperial College London and a master’s in astronautics and space engineering at Cranfield University. Libby’s career commenced at EADS Astrium, after which she joined the European Space Agency’s Mission Control in 2007. There, she served as a flight instructor and controller, culminating in her role as Columbus Flight Director in 2010.
In 2014, Libby transitioned to the UK Space Agency, where she managed the education and outreach programme for Tim Peake’s Principia mission. This initiative captivated over two million students, engaging one in three UK schools. As Head of Space Exploration, she coordinated the UK’s involvement in human and robotic missions, including activities aboard the International Space Station and ventures to the Moon and Mars.
March 2025 marked a new chapter as Libby assumed the role of Head of Space at the Science Museum in London. In this capacity, she spearheads space-related public engagement activities, supports curators in acquiring cutting-edge space technologies for the national collection, and strengthens the museum’s collaborations with global space agencies.
Libby’s contributions have been widely recognized. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Kent in 2021 and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours for her services to the space sector. Additionally, she was honored with the Leif Erikson Exploration History Award in 2023 for her dedication to preserving the history of female astronauts and space professionals.
An accomplished author, Libby has penned A Galaxy of Her Own: Amazing Stories of Women in Space (2017) and Space Explorers (2020), both celebrating the achievements of women in space exploration. Her expertise and enthusiasm have made her a sought-after media contributor, with appearances on programmes like Stargazing Live and Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?
Libby Jackson OBE's Speaking Topics
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Women in Space
Highlighting stories of women who have contributed to human spaceflight throughout the years.
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Life in Space
Astronauts spend 6 months in space, with many years training for their missions. What happens in space, why is it important to everday life, and what does it take to survive?
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Exploration missions
Humans are returning to the Moon, and have long dreamed of walking on Mars. Why are we going, what are the challenges to overcome, and how will we get to Mars?
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My Life in Space
Space was my passion and interest when I was a child, but I didn’t think it was possible to make a career out of it. 40 year later, I’ve realised my dreams, - in this talk I share what I’ve learned along the way, my philosophies that led me here, and hope to inspire the audience to see that they can follow their own passions and dreams.
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