Libby Jackson 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'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?

Back to the Moon: The Story of Artemis and Our Next Giant Leap

A powerful, story-led keynote on humanity’s return to the Moon through the Artemis program, the most ambitious space programme since Apollo 11 Moon Landing.

Libby brings to life the people, purpose and challenges behind this new era of exploration, translating the complexities of the missions into clear, engaging insights. Through vivid storytelling, she explains not just how we are going back to the Moon, but also why it matters for all of us.

Key themes: Future exploration, innovation, simplifying complexity, global collaboration

Mission Control: Decision-Making When It Matters Most

Taking audiences inside the world of human spaceflight, Libby shares real stories from mission control, where decisions must be made under pressure, always with a focus on the safety of the astronauts in space.

Blending technical insight with human storytelling, she reveals how complex problems are broken down, communicated clearly, and solved as a team in high-stakes environments.

Key themes: Leadership, teamwork, decision-making under pressure, clarity in complexity

Rocket Science Made Simple

Space can feel complex, technical and out of reach, but it doesn’t have be that way.

Drawing on her experience explaining space to millions, Libby shows how even “rocket science” can be made accessible, engaging and memorable. She can demystifies the science behind space exploration, transforming challenging concepts into clear, relatable ideas that any audience can understand. Drawing on her experiences through her career, from Mission Control to the Science Museum, she uses storytelling, analogies and real-world examples to bring even the most complex topics to life.

Key themes: Simplifying complexity, space exploration, communication, storytelling, engaging diverse audiences

From Childhood to the Cosmos: My Journey into Space

A warm, inspiring and deeply human keynote charting Libby Jackson’s path into the space sector, from her childhood fascination with space through to working on the frontline of human spaceflight.

Through engaging personal stories, Libby brings to life the pivotal moments, challenges and opportunities that shaped her career. With honesty and humour, she shows how curiosity, resilience and a willingness to embrace the unknown can open doors to extraordinary possibilities.

Relatable and uplifting, this talk resonates with audiences at every stage of their journey, offering both inspiration and practical perspective on building a fulfilling and unconventional career.

Key themes: Inspiration, career journeys, resilience, curiosity, storytelling

She has spent nearly two decades at the forefront of human spaceflight, with leadership roles at the European Space Agency and UK Space Agency.
She translates complex space missions and exploration programmes into clear insight that helps audiences understand innovation, teamwork and risk.
She brings firsthand experience of mission control and international collaboration, including work on the International Space Station and lunar and Mars initiatives.
She is an engaging speaker and communicator, inspiring millions through education programmes, media and public engagement.
Her insights help organisations embrace innovation, build high-performing teams and explore new frontiers with confidence.

Videos of Libby Jackson

‘Even worse than you imagine’ - what Artemis II launch was really about

What can business learn from Space?

bluedot 2018 | Libby Jackson: A Galaxy of Her Own

Articles, Media & Podcasts

Artemis II Astronauts Will Lose Human Contact On Far Side Of The Moon | Libby Jackson OBE

Times Radio

The Annual Christmas Lecture goes Virtual!

The Stem Hub

Books by Libby Jackson

Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space

Space Explorers: 25 Extraordinary Stories of Space Exploration and Adventure

Comments & Testimonials

The talk was absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much and to Libby too. I watched it with my 9 year old daughter who really enjoyed it and hopefully that will inspire her to think about what jobs she might like to do when she’s older’

‘I wanted to say thank you for organising the talk last night. It was fascinating to hear from Libby and some of those space Christmas stories. My Kids loved to hear a bit more about space, and what life is like for the astronauts’

‘I really enjoyed Libby Jackson’s talk . She is an excellent presenter and very adept at communicating space-related information in a clear and accessible way (especially for younger audience members). Despite the technical gremlins that did their best to disrupt her presentation, I thought the talk was thoroughly engaging and I am glad I had the opportunity to take part. The story of the first manned space flight around the moon was fascinating and has whetted my appetite to hear more. Her book will be on my Christmas list. Thank you and a Merry Christmas to everyone who made the event possible’