Meet the team
Lunar Mission One has management leadership and support from world leaders in science, engineering, technology and education. Our teams have been brought together to create specialist committees that will set up this project for implementation over the next decade, helping it to achieve extraordinary advances in a range of fields.
Both the executive management of the project and its governance will develop and expand over time, especially as its international scope expands.
Lunar Missions Trust
The Lunar Missions Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation overseeing the entire Lunar Mission One project, from its space mission to its worldwide programme of educational engagement. The Trust is led by a dedicated and passionate senior team.
The Lunar Missions Trust’s objectives are “the advancement of education and research in the fields of space science, engineering and technology and promotion of the applications thereof”. We want to ensure that a meaningful, substantial and inclusive global legacy is gained from the success of Lunar Mission One; a legacy of global education, public engagement in science and future space exploration.
Sir Graeme Davies - Chairman
Sir Graeme Davies is an engineer and academic. He is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, the University of Glasgow and the University of London. Sir Graeme taught metallurgy at the University of Auckland (1964–66), the University of Cambridge (1966-77) and the University of Sheffield (1978–86) where he was Professor of Metallurgy. He has also served as Chief Executive of the Universities Funding Council (UFC) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Sir Graeme is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Ian Taylor – Deputy Chairman
Ian Taylor MBE was a UK Conservative Party Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010, and was Minister for Science, Technology & Space at the Department for Trade and Industry (1994-97). In 2008, he gained the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Individual Achievement in Promoting Space and Science. He was chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee for three years, co-chair of the Parliamentary Space Committee and in 2009 he chaired the European Inter-Parliamentary Space Conference. He has also been an advisor to the European Space Agency’s Integrated Applications programme. He is currently Chairman of the Steering Group of the National Space Academy, sits on the UK Science & Technologies Facilities Council, and chairs a number of commercial companies.
Pieter Knook – Trustee
Pieter Knook is a senior businessman and corporate investment advisor in the IT and internet sectors, who spent 18 years with Microsoft, including as President of its Asia Region and as SVP of its Mobile Communications Business. He joined the senior executive team of Vodafone as its Director of Internet Services. He is now non-executive Chairman, Director or Board Advisor for several companies, from smaller high techs such as Monitise and Pulsant to the larger TDC in the Nordics. He is on the advisory board of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and is a Visiting Professor in Innovation at Cambridge University’s Engineering Department.
Professor Monica Grady - Trustee
Professor Monica Grady CBE is a leading space scientist, best known for her international reputation in meteorites and as a leading authority on the Rosetta mission to the asteroid 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. She has published many papers on the carbon and nitrogen isotope geochemistry of primitive meteorites, and on interstellar components of space rocks. She is currently Professor of Planetary and Space Science at the Open University and a scientific associate of the Natural History Museum. She chairs the Science Board Solar System Advisory Committee of the UK Government’s Science & Technologies Facilities Council.
Angela Lamont – Trustee
Angela Lamont is a science producer, presenter, broadcaster and writer with over 20 years’ experience. With a first class degree in IT, Angela originally worked as a systems analyst and IT manager for several companies, including IBM, before being chosen to present the prestigious Faraday Lectures in 1992. She then went on to work at BBC Television for eight years, whilst also broadcasting on Radio 4, Radio 5 Live and The World Service. With over 200 broadcast programmes under her belt, she now produces short form video, recently making films on nuclear fusion, science policy, Liveable Cities and nanotechnology.
David Iron - Trustee & Founder
David Iron is a former Royal Navy Engineering Officer and advisor to national investment institutions. As a specialist in public-private partnerships, he has advised on the financing of around 150 high technology projects, particularly in the space sector. He originated the commercial and financial structure for the UK’s pioneering £2.5Bn Skynet 5 military satellite communications service, and was the lead PPP adviser to the European Commission for its €8Bn Galileo satellite navigation programme. Since 2007 he has worked on the commercialisation and financing of international space exploration, from science to manned spaceflight. During this time he originated the Lunar Mission One concept and has led the project ever since. He is the Founder of the Lunar Missions Trust.
The Trust is advised by Anne-Marie Piper of Farrer & Co.
The Lunar Missions Trust is registered at Companies House, as a private (non-profit) company limited by guarantee; registered number 8661432 and address at Wreights House, The Mall, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8JL, United Kingdom.
International advisory board
The International Advisory Board has been established to advise informally on the project’s international expansion in all areas of activity.
Daniel M Tani – Dan is a US engineer and former NASA astronaut who conducted the 100th spacewalk on the International Space Station.
Mazlan Othman – Mazlan is a Malaysian astrophysicist and the former Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.
Gui Trotti – Gui was the first NASA architect working on lunar bases, Mars vehicles and the Space Station, and an advisor to the US National Academy on NASA technology.
Bob Brumley – Bob is CEO of Laser Light Communications LLC and a specialist in satellite optical telecoms technology.
Heather Drake – Heather is a senior Silicon Valley specialist in executive communications and PR with experience at Hitachi, eBay, Cisco, Philips and Motorola.
Richard Holdaway – Richard is Chairman and CEO of aerospace consultancy company Lone Star Space Associates and former Director of RAL Space
Gregory Chamitoff – Greg is a US engineer and former NASA astronaut who served on a long duration mission on the ISS and is a Professor in Aerospace Engineering.
Specialist planning teams
Lunar Mission One is assembling a sponsoring management consortium to set up the main project.
A number of teams have been formed to assist the planning of the project’s detail, covering its space mission, its science, its education and its sales and marketing. Initially based in the UK, all teams are expanding to include international partners.
Mission Team
Sam Adlen – Head of Business Innovation at the Satellite Applications Catapult
Phil Bustin – Consulting Director at WIPRO
Andy Bowyer – Commercial Director of Magna Parva
James Carpenter – lunar science mission adviser at HE Space
Andrew Comer – Partner at Buro Happold Engineering
Jonathan Friend – Mission Specialist at SSTL
Janice Griffin – independent geotechnical consultant and drilling adviser
Dr Patrick Harkness – Senior Lecturer, Systems Power and Energy at Glasgow University
Susan Jason – Head of Lunar Missions at SSTL
Doug Liddle – MD of In-Space Missions, ex Head of Science at SSTL
Chris Saunders – Mission Specialist at SSTL
Steve Sawaryn – independent drilling adviser, ex Drilling Systems Lead at BP
Dave Smith – IODP-ESO Operations Manager at the British Geological Survey
Dr Mike Williams – Drilling researcher at Portsmouth University
What we’re doing:
- Discussing with industry the nature and scope of international industrial participation.
- Planning the main space mission procurement.
- Planning key technology development.
- Supporting the public engagement.
Science Team
Dr Louise Alexander – Postdoctoral Researcher at Birkbeck University of London
Professor Leon Alkalai (USA) – Special Adviser to the Director, and Fellow at NASA JPL
Dr Mahesh Anand – Reader in Planetary Science and Exploration at the Open University
Dr Simeon Barber – Research Fellow at the Open University
Professor Ian Barnes – Professor of Molecular Palaeobiology at the Natural History Museum
Dr Jessica Barnes – mineralogy researcher at the Open University
Dr Sarah Beardsley – Division Head at STFC/RAL Space
Dr Neil Bowles – Associate Professor, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics at the University of Oxford
Dr Ray Burgess – Professor of Isotope Geochemistry at Manchester University
Professor Markys Cain – Materials Science Consultant at Electrosciences
Professor Charles Cockell – Professor of Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh
Professor Matthew Collins – Professor of Biomolecular Archaeology at the University of York
Professor Ian Crawford – Professor of Planetary Science and Astrobiology at Birkbeck University of London
Brian Day (USA) – leader of Citizen Science for NASA SSERVI at NASA Ames
Dr Kerri Donaldson Hanna (USA) – Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Oxford
Dr Jessica Flahaut (France) – Planetary Geologist at École normale supérieure de Lyon
Professor Yang Gao – Professor of Space Autonomous Systems at Surrey University
Professor Tom Gilbert – Professor of Palaeogenomics at the University of Copenhagen's Natural History Museum of Denmark
Professor Monica Grady - Professor of Planetary and Space Science at the Open University
Dr Peter Grindrod – Lecturer in Planetary Science at Birkbeck University of London
Melissa Guzman (France) – Researcher, Planetary Science and Astrobiology at NASA Ames
Professor Richard Harrison – Chief Scientist of STFC/RAL Space
Dr Tawfique Hasan - Lecturer in Electronic Materials and Devices, Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge
Professor Harry Hiesinger (Germany) – Professor for Planetary Geology at Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität
Dr Rob Huxley – Former Principal Curator of Genomics and Microbial Biodiversity, Natural History Museum
Dr Colm Jordan – Team Leader of Earth and Planetary Observation and Monitoring, British Geological Survey
Dr Katherine Joy – Senior Research Fellow, Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry Research Group at Manchester University
Huma Irfan (India) – Lunar Doctoral Researcher at Birkbeck University of London
Myriam Lemelin (USA) – Research Assistant at University of Hawaii
Dr Sungwoo Lim – Lecturer in Design at the Open University
Jackie Mackenzie-Dodds – Collections Manager, Molecular and Frozen Tissues, Natural History Museum
Professor Glenn Martyna (USA) – NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, IBM
Dr David Moran – Fellow in Electronic and Nanoscale Engineering Research at Glasgow University
Professor Clive Neal (USA) – Professor of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences at University of Notre Dame
Professor Douglas Paul –Director of the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at Glasgow University
Dr Alan Penny – Honorary Reader and Visiting Scientist at University of St Andrews, Coordinator of the UK SETI Research Network
Dr Katharine Robinson – Post Doctoral Research Associate at the Open University
Diego de Rosa (Italy) – Aerospace Engineer at HE Space
Professor Sara Russell – Head of Division, Mineral and Planetary Sciences at the Natural History Museum
Professor Mary Ryan – Professor of Materials Science & Nanotechnology at Imperial College London
Professor Mark Sephton – Professor of Organic Geochemistry & Meteoritics at Imperial College London
Dr Elliot Sefton-Nash – Postdoctoral researcher at Birkbeck University of London
Professor Mark Sims – Professor in Astrobiology and Space Instrumentation at the University of Leicester
Dr Caroline Smith – Collections Manager, Mineral and Planetary Sciences at the Natural History Museum
Dr Romain Tartese (France) – Post Doctoral Research Associate at Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle
Professor Wim van Westrenen (Netherlands) – Professor in Planetary Evolution at VU University
Professor Graham Woan – Professor of Astrophysics at Glasgow University
Professor Kazuya Yoshida (Japan) - Head of the Space Robotics Laboratory at Tohoku University
Professor John Zarnecki – Professor Emeritus at the OU, and the International Space Science Institute, Switzerland
What we’re doing:
- Planning the detailed science requirements as part of the international Global Exploration Strategy.
- Planning the spacecraft payload definition.
- Selecting the landing site.
- Planning the archive technology, both digital and biological.
- Supporting the public engagement.
Education Team
Kathy Ashford – Confederation Manager of the Effingham Learning Partnership
Christina Astin – founder of the Young Scientists Journal
Professor Fran Balkwill – Director of the Centre of the Cell
Taj Bhutta – Careers & Student Support Manager at the Institute of Physics
Abigail Calzada (Spain) – Representative of the Space Generation Advisory Council
Katie Chambers – Head of Learning at Queen Mary University of London
Sara Cox – Schools & Education Policy Manager at the Society of Biology
Sheila Curtis – Secondary Programme Manager, STEM Education Centre at UCL Institute of Education
Chris Duff – Project Manager at the National Space Academy
Stuart Eves – Chairman of the Education and Outreach Committee at the British Interplanetary Society
Dr Iain Gilmour – Associate Dean, Faculty of Science at the Open University
Mark Hempsell – President of the British Interplanetary Society
Martin Koyabe – Head of Research and Consultancy at Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO)
Jon Kudlick – Director of Membership, Marketing and Communications at the Society of Biology
Robert Massey – Deputy Executive Secretary (Media, Policy, Education & Outreach) of the Royal Astronomical Society
Andy McMurray – Head of Teaching and Learning at the National Space Academy
Jancy Mcphee – Executive Director of Humans in Space Art Program (USA)
Marc Neesam – Primary Education Programme Manager at the Royal Society of Chemistry
Anu Ojha – Director of the National Space Academy
Helen Schell – space artist with the NewBridge Project
Alistair Scott – Past-President of the British Interplanetary Society
Kierann Shah – National Project Manager at the National Space Academy
Jeremy Thomas – Head of Physics at Portsmouth Grammar School
Charlotte Thorley – Executive Officer for Public Engagement at Queen Mary University of London
Professor Christopher Welch – Professor of Astronautics and Space Engineering at the International Space University, Vice President of the British Interplanetary Society
What we’re doing:
- Planning the global educational programme.
- Preparing early educational ideas and content.
- Inviting participation by the educational interests of professional institutions.
- Inviting pilot schools from around the World to test educational ideas, covering different cultures, ages, abilities and subjects.
Sales & Marketing Team
Fernando Carballal – Design Innovator at Satellite Applications Catapult
Michel Cassius – Chief Marketing Officer of digi.me
Heather Drake (USA) – Silicon Valley communications adviser and program manager
Jackie Erickson (USA) – Communications Director at Astrobotic
Rhydian Peters – Digital and UX consultant and Director of Green Egg
Lewis Pinault – Space Innovations Advisor at Satellite Applications Catapult
Jules Ranger – Founder of digi.me
Heath Rezabek (USA) – archives and librarian adviser, Texas
Gerald Shields(USA) – Washington DC Attorney and Wikipedia adviser
What we’re doing:
- Fulfilling the Kickstarter rewards.
- Providing PR and social media advice and support to the project.
- Creating an online collaboration platform to expand public engagement.
- Preparing for the launch of the next step, the project’s Setup Stage.
International Chapter Leads
Rich Whittle & Swetha Kotichintala - International Chapter Coordinators
Lauren Jessup - Australia
Martin Gomez & Glenn Van den Meerssche - Belgium
Milton Villarroel – Bolivia
Vladimir Bozhilov, Ludmila Filipova & Ivo Jokin - Bulgaria
Nadeem Ghafoor - Canada
Susy Mercado Ruge - Colombia
Šárka Kvasničková – Czech Republic
Jessica Flahaut & Florian Marmuse – France
Roland Albers &Balaji Soundararajan - Germany
Ernest Teye Matey – Ghana
Sourav Karmakar – India
Muchammad Thoyib Achmad Salim - Indonesia
Sean Murray - Ireland
Guy Nesher - Israel
Fabrizio Bernardini - Italy
Yusuke Watanabe - Japan
AmbTrokon Bosco Wleyou - Liberia
Rita Stoskiene – Lithuania
Mohamad Aqeel Shamsul Anuar - Malaysia
Samiksha Mestry - The Netherlands
Emilio Zuniga - Nicaragua
Oniosun Temidayo Isaiah – Nigeria
Mohammad Iftekhar Yezdani – Pakistan
Diana Bejan – Romania
Anastasia Ilina - Russia
Yahya Al-Hazmi – Saudi Arabia
Irina Malkin Ondik - Slovakia
James Kinnear - South Africa
Manikandan Muthu - South Korea
Mohammed Yahya Al-Kenani - Sudan
Saravana Prashanth Murali Babu - Taiwan
Meltem Tunç - Turkey
Darryl Cooper & Paul Bennett – UK
Ron McCandless & Pat Crepeau - USA
Tan Vu Nguyen - Vietnam
What we’re doing:
- Establishing a network of local LM1 enthusiasts.
- Formulating the local organisational structure.
- Planning early activities.
- Acting as the link between the international LM1 project and each local national community.
LM1 Chapters Intercontinental Group
North America: Jen Wincher (USA/Michigan)
Jennifer Wincher is a business and organization consultant with 20 years media relations and project management experience. She was associate management consultant and technical integrator to Control Point Corporation -- a United States Department of Defense engineering company, now known as Ricardo Control Point -- where she helped manage the customer solutions business area in operations, media, and marketing. She also worked with Global Space Organization as a media relations officer and is currently working to develop educational programs and media demonstrations in the fields of aerospace and technology with her company Empty Space L.L.C.. She graduated from Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Southfield, Michigan.
South America: Milton Villarroel (Bolivia)
Milton Villarroel is a linguist and a space enthusiast. He has been involved in Teaching English as a Second and Foreign Language since obtaining his TEFL degree from Saint Michael’s College, Vermont, United States of America. He has recently been awarded a Teaching Excellence and Achievement award at the California State University at Chico, California for his work in secondary education.
He is an official Speaking Examiner and Trainer for the University of Cambridge Main Suite examinations. Furthermore, he has been a Permanent and Official Translator for the Consulate of the United States of America.
His first science project was on exobiology, a science unheard of in Bolivia in the 1980’s. The project was awarded first place in local and national science fairs. For the last 10 years, he has taught science in high school using space as the context to teach physics, chemistry, and biology. As a linguist, he introduces his students to interstellar communication and the possibility of finding intelligent life in the cosmos.
Europe: Paul E. Bennett (UK)
Paul is a Systems Engineer, working in the design and construction of control systems hardware and software for trusted applications. His skills were honed, initially, through an apprenticeship and a number of contract assignments in a wide range of industrial sectors.
He maintains an interest in a wide range of science and technology topics. These include ecologogy, environment, nuclear energy, recycling and waste reduction, and the educational promotion of all the important STEM areas. He is also a STEM Ambassador to schools and colleges throughout all age ranges and regularly presents talks on behalf of Lunar Mission One to various audiences.
Africa: Mohammed Yayha (Sudan)
Mohammed researches Space Weather at the Institute of Space Research and Aerospace Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. He graduated from Omdurman Islamic University, Faculty of Science and Technology department of Astronomy and Meteorology. His skills were honed, initially, through an apprenticeship and a number of contract assignments in a wide range of organized outreaches and sectors.
He is interested in Astronomy and Space science topics. These include Astronomy, the space near Earth's environment, programing and data reduction, and the educational promotion of all the important Science areas. He has published various papers in the impact of Space on Technology. He is also an Ambassador to schools and colleges throughout all age ranges and regularly presents talks on behalf of Lunar Mission One to various audiences.
Asia (Indian Subcontinent): Sourav Karmakar (India)
Sourav Karmakar is an Electronics & Communication Engineer from India. Presently he is the Founder & Head of INFINOS TECH LLP,India which is also a partner of Lunar Mission One. It’s based on the product & service about Renewable Energy, Education, Electronics and its applications for aerospace. He worked in Aerospace Industry as Executive Engineer in India. He also taught in Architectural institute in India. He is a TEDx Speaker and also delivered technical sessions on Nanotechnology & Aerospace in various Engineering Institutes of India. He has published various papers about Quantum Dot Circuit & Aerospace. He has a Patent Application about Efficient Quantum Dot Circuit. He has also published articles on aerospace and others in USA, Brazil & Russia. He is the Co-author of two Novels in USA. He is an artist and poet as well.
Asia (ASEAN): Aqeel Shamsul (Malaysia)
Aqeel is a space advocate and aerospace engineer from Malaysia. He believes that one day we will live on the Moon. Currently he is pursuing his PhD in Space Engineering at Cranfield University, UK. He is developing a bio-CubeSat, miniaturised space laboratory, named BAMMsat to allow low-cost BAMM experiment in space. BAMM represents for Biology, Astrobiology, Material and Medicine.
He co-founded Malaysia Space Initiative (MiSI) with other space advocates following their passion in space. MiSI is a non-profit NGO with the aim of promoting space in Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysian government, industry and academia to advance the space industry. Since it was founded in 2017, MiSI has organised pioneering space events named Space Entrepreneurship Symposium to promote space entrepreneurship and will be launching MiSI Roundtable, an unconference event to promote discussion and collaboration on space agenda.
Institutional support
By teaming up with some of the leading institutions in technology, science and culture across the world, Lunar Mission One will be able to fulfil the ambitions of this amazing project. We are extremely excited at the prospect of working with such impressive organisations, and for the advances we know we can achieve over the coming years.
Representatives from many institutions are already supporting our public engagement work, including:
Satellite Applications Catapult
Institute of Physics
Institute of Biology
Royal Society of Chemistry
Royal Astronomical Society
National Space Academy
International Space University
The Open University
Queen Mary, University of London, and its Centre of the Cell
Chapman University, and its Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Cranfield University, and its School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing
Portsmouth University, and its School of Engineering
British Interplanetary Society
RAL Space
Young Scientists Journal
World Space Week
CREAT-IT and Write a Science Opera
Space Generation Advisory Council
Virtually all these institutions are looking to participate in our pilot education programme.