Libby Jackson facts for kids
Elizabeth "Libby" Anne Jackson (born 18 March 1981) is a British expert in space exploration. She works for the UK Space Agency, helping us learn more about space.
Libby Jackson's Early Interest in Space
Libby Jackson loved space travel from a young age. When she was just seven, she wrote a special 'Travel Guide to Mars'. At fifteen, she went to a Space School. There she learned even more about space.
She chose to study Physics, Maths, and Music in high school. When she was seventeen, she visited NASA's Johnson Space Center. She got to watch a flight director at work. This made her very interested in human spaceflight, which is about people traveling in space.
Libby then went to Imperial College London. She earned a degree in physics in 2002. After that, she studied at Cranfield University. In 2003, she received a master's degree in Astronautics and Space Engineering. This degree is all about designing and building spacecraft.
Libby Jackson's Career in Space
After finishing her studies, Libby Jackson started working as an engineer. She joined a company called EADS Astrium. In 2007, she began working at Europe's control center for the International Space Station (ISS). There, she was a flight instructor and controller. This meant she helped train astronauts and guided missions from the ground.
By 2010, Libby became a director for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Columbus Module on the ISS. This module is a science lab in space.
In 2014, Libby joined the UK Space Agency. She became a main spokesperson for Tim Peake's mission to the ISS. Tim Peake is a famous British astronaut. Libby helped tell the public all about his amazing journey.
She also helped plan the UK Space Agency's education programs. These programs taught students about space during Tim Peake's mission. Libby used to manage the Human Exploration Programme. This program looks after the UK's interest in human spaceflight. Today, she is the Head of Space Exploration at the UK Space Agency.
In July 2019, the University of Kent gave her an honorary Doctor of Science degree. This is a special award for her achievements. In 2023, she received an Order of the British Empire. This award was given for her great work in the space field.
Sharing Space with Everyone
Libby Jackson works hard to help people understand space science. She often talks to the media and speaks at big events. She wants more people to get excited about space.
In 2016, Libby ran the London Marathon. She even wore an astronaut costume! At the same event, Tim Peake ran a marathon too. But he did it while he was in space!
Libby was part of a team that won an award in 2016. It was the Sir Arthur Clarke Award. They won it for their work in sharing Tim Peake's mission with the public.
Libby has also written books about space. Her first book, A Galaxy of Her Own, came out in 2017. Her second book, Space Explorers, was published in 2020. These books help young people learn more about space.
