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Astronomy Group Lead, Space Operations Division at RAL Space, and Visiting Fellow, The Open University

Chris is the astronomy group lead in the space operations division at RAL Space.

He combines astrophysics research with the development and operation of space missions.

My PhD was in “Galaxy Evolution and Cosmology" at Imperial College London.

After working in Japan for seven years on infrared space telescopes, he moved back to the UK to work for RAL Space, working on the SPIRE instrument that flew on the Herschel Space Observatory.

He also works on the Ariel exoplanet mission and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

The SKA is the largest scientific facility ever to be built. It consists of a giant array of radio telescopes built in the deserts of South Africa and Australia.

On SKA, Chris manages two of the software teams that are developing something called the science data processor. This software will process the vast amounts of data that will come in once the telescope array becomes operational.

The job at RAL Space allows Chris to participate in both astronomy research and the development of spacecraft missions.

Experience

  • –present
    Astronomy Group Lead, Space Operations Division, RAL Space
  • –present
    Visiting Fellow, The Open University

Education

  • 1997 
    Imperial College, PhD Cosmology

Professional Memberships

  • Royal Astronomical Society