Members of the public are invited to attend the annual Jennison Lecture on Wednesday 21 November.
The talk, sponsored by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), will be given by Libby Jackson and will focus on the history of women in human space flight, such as the UK’s first astronaut and first women to visit the Mir space station, Helen Sharman.
Libby’s career in the space sector began in 2007 when she worked at Europe’s control centre for the International Space Station (ISS) as a flight instructor and controller. She then became director for the ISS European Space Agency (ESA) Columbus Module in 2010 before joining the UK Space Agency in 2014.
UK Space Agency’s Libby Jackson
The talk is designed to highlight the pioneering role many women have played in the space industry, in part to help inspire others to consider the sector as a viable career opportunity, where at present it is a heavily male-dominated environment.
After the talk there will be the chance to purchase signed copies of Libby’s book, A Galaxy of Her Own: Amazing Stories of Women in Space.
Professor Farzin Deravi, Head of EDA, said: ‘Libby is a fantastic speaker who has had an amazing career and we are delighted she can deliver the Jennison lecture about such an inspiring topic. We hope as many people as possible will be able to attend from all ages and backgrounds.’
The event is free to attend and takes place in the Jennison Lecture Theatre and will start at 18.00. There is free parking on campus from 17.00. Those interested in attending are asked to register online.