I've been a little busy working on my latest and greatest mission yet! I'll be taking some time from my usual work to focus on this awesome little guy 🚀

It's official, as of this week I am now a Senior Research Associate! It's not easy progressing up the academic ladder, especially when not lecturing, but I'm thankful for the support of those around me at SPL who have helped me secure this role and for the recognition 💪 👩‍🔬🚀

Another frantic day chasing inputs and finalising a project proposal, but it's submitted!
Excuse me while I go lie down in a dark room for a few hours...

Missing another major conference (Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space) this week due to other commitments. However, with the rest of the team travelling, I have finally got my email inbox down to 0 unread emails for the first time in almost a year 🥳 #LittleWins #AcademiaSky

"WE'VE ARRANGED A society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. And this combustible mixture of ignorance and power, sooner or later, is going to blow up in our faces. Who is running the science and technology in a democracy if the people don't know anything about it?" "Science is more than a body of knowledge, it's a way of thinking. A way of skeptically interrogating the universe with a fine understanding of human fallibility. If we are not able to ask skeptical questions, to interrogate those who tell us that something is true, to be skeptical of those in authority, then we're up for grabs for the next charlatan, political or religious, who comes ambling along."

I think a lot about what Carl Sagan said in one of his final interviews.

Just a daily reminder, that just because "that's how we've always done it" doesn't mean it can't/shouldn't be improved 🙃

Global First Test Success for a University of Leicester–NASA Space Power System Spacecraft power system that combines the technological know-how of engineers and scientists at the University of Leicester and NASA Glenn passed first test

Some updates from our recent test campaign at NASA Glenn. We've been looking at combining our radioisotope heat sources with Stirling engines to produce reliable electricity for future spaceflight missions 🚀. www.space-park.co.uk/2025/04/radi...

Mining the Moon for a Ticket to Mars? Hannah Sargeant Explains YouTube video by Newsweek

I recently did an interview as part of Newsweek's Expanding Space series. We talked about the role of the Moon and commercial space industry in the sustained human exploration of the Solar System. Check it out here: youtu.be/xbqA6hvvguo?...

Thanks! It's actually been really enjoyable to be a part of already 😊

The Space Exploration Advisory Committee (SEAC) The Space Exploration Advisory Committee is composed of UK-based experts across scientific and technical disciplines related to space exploration.

Doing the traditional academic thing of complaining about burnout, and then announcing a new voluntary role I'm taking on... 👀

I'm now the Lunar Science and Exploration representative for the UK Space Agency's Space Exploration Advisory Committee (SEAC)! www.gov.uk/government/p...

Today I closed out my first major project as PI worth ~£1M! Our team worked with civil and commercial partners around the 🌍 to develop radioisotope power system technologies and their applications💪. Very proud of the team, and feeling more confident in my PI/PM skills 😁. I am, however, exhausted!

Professional Mature GIF Alt: GIF of a lady dressed unprofessionally saying "professional"

Responded to a media request yesterday over video call and assumed it was an informal Q&A for a written piece.
Me: logging in all casual with a hoodie and terrible internet connection.
Them: *Recording* Welcome to the video series...

Astronauts and NASA administrators are on this series 🤦‍♀️

Thank you! I'm missing the wonderful planetary community but struggling to juggle it all.
Hope you have a blast and that we'll cross paths sooner rather than later!

Sad to be missing #LPSC again this year! Looking forward to following all the exciting updates through Bluesky.
Please take pity on me as I sit through 3 days of training as I begin the slow inevitable progression from researcher to project manager

**This would end space science as we know it.**

I’d probably be out of a job.

Successful ongoing missions would be turned off.

Future missions would be axed.

Some research centers (NASA & non-NASA) would likely dissolve.

#Space #NASA

It appears the #IM2 landed at the south pole of the moon but some commands are having to be sent manually. Intuitive Machines released a few photos on descent from an altitude of about 10 meters, but nothing yet from the surface.

We should have a media event around 4 PM EST.

It appears @Int_Machines IM-2 landed on time and largely to the trajectory they planned. @eelkevisser.bsky.social @amsat-dl.org

I'm very excited about it, its been needed for a while! Angel and Clive have done a great job getting this over the line with sponsorship from KIGAM. Now we just need to spread the word and get a great range of content!

Space and Planetary Resources An integrated platform to publish novel data and findings, as well as innovative concepts, models, and technological advances related to various aspects of ...

If you're working on extraterrestrial resource exploration/prospecting, extraction, processing, and utilization, as well as economic, environmental, legal, and policy issues then publish in this new diamond open access journal! link.springer.com/journal/44461

I've been a little quiet on socials recently, HOWEVER, I could not let this momentous occasion pass by without commenting. I'm so excited to see another successful Moon landing, this means more opportunities for science and exploration with commercial industry support 🌙

Pins that Have Rainbows Round pins with swooshes for colorful display.

I was handed this one at a previous LPSC event, but it looks like theyre available here! www.kickstarter.com/projects/spa...

Happy International Day of Women in Science. The National Science Foundation’s list of flagged words includes both “Women” and “Female.”

For the NASA folks that can't, we will.

NASA Advisory Groups work extremely hard to collate information and advice to support NASA sceince and exploration goals. They are being erased.
bsky.app/profile/moon...

Home Space Science is for Everyone: An Open Letter Written February 6, 2025

500+ US and International scientists are signing an open letter to NASA leadership and US representatives, asking them to take action and preserve the integrity and public access of the country’s scientific activities and its output. To read and sign, see here:
sites.google.com/view/space-s...

A picture of the front gates to the Burlington House courtyard

It's been a great day catching up with the UK lunar community for the UK SSERVI meeting. Even during tough funding times, everyone has been delivering on a wide range of science and exploration projects.
It's also great to see the Royal Astronomical Society in its rightful home at Burlington House

FYI, if your speaker is a fool (me) and doesn't share their screen in a hybrid meeting, please let them know at the START of the presentation 😅

It’s Not Your Fault That Academic Life is Getting Harder by Glen O’Hara Universities are in trouble, and it’s not just money we’re talking about. They are living through something of a crisis of confidence, even of trust and faith. More and more, I find myself, and my col...

"It is impossible to be a top-line manager and administrator and mentor and researcher and writer and outreach officer and IT expert and online instructor and pedagogical innovator and recruiter and teacher and marker and external examiner and press pundit and grant bidder and editor."

A sign saying NASA + Leicester Rockstars next to a table in a restaraunt.

Dinner reservations done right 🤘