Libby Jackson OBE
One of Britain’s leading experts in human spaceflight
*Fees are a guide only. Exact cost will be dependent on requirements and are subject to change.
About Libby Jackson
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.
To book Keynote Speaker Libby Jackson, contact The Speakers Agency on +44(0)1332 810481 or email enquiries@thespeakersagency.com
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
Here you can find links to books by Libby Jackson. For bulk book orders for your event please speak with a member of the team.
