Dr Sarah Beardsley
Director, RAL Space

Dr Sarah Beardsley became Director of RAL Space in 2022 and leads a team of around 350 specialists delivering world-class science and technology programmes for the UK space sector.

Sarah joined STFC in 2000 as an instrument scientist on the organisation’s first mission to the Moon, and played a key role in shaping UK and European strategies for solar system science through her membership of numerous national and international advisory panels. As a Project Manager, she contributed to the successful delivery of RAL Space’s camera electronics for major missions including Solar Dynamics Observatory, GOES and Solar Orbiter.

From 2014, Sarah served as Head of the Space Engineering and Technology (SET) Division, overseeing the engineers, technicians and project managers at the heart of many of RAL Space’s hardware programmes. In 2021 she undertook a one-year secondment as an Associate Director for STFC’s National Laboratories before becoming RAL Space’s first Head of Continuous Improvement, establishing a new programme for organisational development.

A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Chartered Physicist and Member of the Association for Project Management, Sarah is passionate about supporting early-career talent and enabling a positive, forward-looking culture across RAL Space.

As Director of RAL Space, she is responsible for the strategic leadership of the organisation, ensuring the national laboratory continues to deliver cutting-edge capability, scientific excellence and long-term impact for the UK’s space community.