Libby Jackson
Libby Jackson OBE is one of Britain’s most in-demand and leading experts in human spaceflight, known for bringing the realities of space exploration to life for audiences of all ages. With two decades of experience at the forefront of the field, she combines her deep technical expertise and knowledge with vivid storytelling, drawing on her work in Mission Control, government, and public engagement.
Space was a childhood passion and after completing degrees in physics at Imperial College and astronautics and space engineering (also known as Rocket Science) at Cranfield University, she has worked in the space industry ever since, joining the Science Museum in March 2025 as Head of Space.
Libby spent seven years working at the European Space Agency’s Mission Control for the International Space Station in a number of roles including her dream job as a Columbus Flight Director.
In 2014 she joined the UK Space Agency, where she managed the UK’s acclaimed education and outreach programme for Tim Peake’s Principia mission to the International Space Station. More than two million students took part in the activities, with one in three UK schools participating. As Head of Space Exploration she oversaw the UK’s activities and investments in human and robotic space exploration, coordinating research and industrial activities across the International Space Station and missions to the Moon and Mars.
Libby became the Science Museum’s first Head of Space in March 2025, where she shapes the museum’s space focussed activities, supporting curators to acquire new space technologies for the national collection and deepening the museum’s relationships with space agencies around the globe.
Libby was awarded an OBE in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list for her services to the Space Sector, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the University of Kent in 2021.
A frequent contributor on television and radio, Libby regularly contribute to news and science programmes around space science, NASA's Artemis missions, rocket and satellite launches, astronomy in relation to spaceflight, women in the space sector and the current race to the Moon. Past credits include Stargazing Live and Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? She also works as a consultant for books, television programmes and films, advising on space science, mission operations and the realities of human spaceflight.
Libby is passionate about sharing stories of human spaceflight and encouraging young people to follow their passions in life. Her first book, A Galaxy of Her Own: Amazing Stories of Women in Space was published in 2017, and her second, Space Explorers in 2020. Both are available in physical, digital and audio editions from all good bookshops.