Libby Jackson
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.
- 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
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Libby Jackson's 2025 biography
Meet Libby Jackson
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.
Space was a childhood passion and after completing degrees in physics at Imperial College and astronautics and space engineering 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 hugely successful education and outreach programme for Tim Peake’s Principia mission to the International Space Station. Over two million students took part in the activities, with one in three UK schools participating.
As Head of Space Exploration she managed the UK’s activities and investments, coordinating research and industrial activities in human and robotic missions, including activities on the International Space Station and missions to the Moon and Mars.
Libby joined the Science Museum in March 2025, where she plays a key role in the museum’s space-related public engagement activities while supporting the museum’s 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.
Libby is a frequent contributor on television and radio, regularly contributing to news and science programmes. Past credits include Stargazing Live and Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?
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.
Libby Jackson's 2025 talks & topics
Women in Space
Highlighting stories of women who have contributed to human spaceflight throughout the years.
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 everyday life, and what does it take to survive?
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?
My Life in Space
Space was Libby Jackson’s passion and interest when she was a child, but she didn’t think it was possible to make a career out of it. 40 years later, she’s realized her dreams. In this talk, she shares what she’s learned along the way, Libby’s philosophies that led her here, and hopes to inspire the audience to see that they can follow their own passions and dreams.