Q&A with Robert Massey, Deputy Director of the Royal Astronomical Society - Executives & Space
The team at Moon Executive Search have a keen interest in both the Executive Universe and the Exploration into Space.
In this series of ‘Executives in Space’, we are speaking with Executives that possess an incredible understanding of the Universe. In this Q&A, we spoke with Robert Massey, Deputy Director of the Royal Astronomical Society to find out more about his role and the future of space travel. Robert is an Astronomer with a background in research, education and politics, with a focus is on science policy, media relations and public engagement.
Robert also co-authored the book ‘Moon’. The book investigates the ‘violent birth (of the Moon) through to the exhilarating story of the Space Race and current exploration efforts, discover the many faces of the Moon and how they have shaped humanity’s existence’.
Could you tell me about what inspired you to study space?
As long as I can remember I've been fascinated by the night sky, planets, stars, and space exploration. The view of an unpolluted sky is enough to cause anyone to pause for breath, even with the naked eye.
With a telescope some of those objects become real worlds, whether that's Jupiter and its dramatic weather systems, Saturn and its rings, or closer to home the rugged landscape of the Moon, with mountain ranges and craters. Once you see these things it's impossible to forget them, and that keeps me wanting to know more.
‘Astronomy and space science in particular are absolutely inspiring for people of all ages’
What are the challenges of your role as Deputy Director of the Royal Astronomical Society?
The RAS is the membership body for professional astronomers and geophysicists, advanced amateur astronomers and many in teaching, industry and elsewhere who have past or present employment in space. We have 4,000 members, mostly in the UK, but also elsewhere in the world, and in 2020 we celebrated our 200th anniversary.
The big challenge for me is to represent our sciences in public and political engagement. Astronomy and space science in particular are absolutely inspiring for people of all ages, and an excellent way to bring people into science and engineering in general. So we love sharing that with everyone - and we work to persuade policymakers that it matters too. Who isn't curious about whether we're alone in the cosmos, or how the universe began and how it will end?
How has your study of space influenced your thinking about Earth?
Looking up at the sky, I think about how fortunate we are to live in an oasis. We have a world that is ideal for life, with water, air, food, drink and weather that allows us to flourish.
Despite intensive searches we have yet to confirm that there are any other Earths out there, and even if they exist we have no way to reach them, so that makes our home even more precious. It's vital that we take action now to keep our planet in good shape, and that means urgent action on climate change and environmental pollution.
‘The RAS is the membership body for professional astronomers and geophysicists, advanced amateur astronomers and many in teaching, industry and elsewhere who have past or present employment in space.’
How do you envisage the future for space exploration?
We're in the middle of a golden age for space exploration. It's only 64 years since the launch of Sputnik 1, and since then we've sent missions to every planet, landed probes on four worlds, driven rovers on two of them, and half a century ago saw astronauts walk on the Moon. In the next decades we'll undoubtedly see people going back to the Moon, and just possibly Mars, and we might even see bases set up on both.
Robots will still do most of the heavy lifting, mostly because they're cheaper and at worst expendable in dangerous settings. So I expect to see more pictures from the hellish surface of Venus, as well as close up views of the icy moons in the outer solar system, and the first woman astronaut doing scientific research standing on the Moon. It's an exciting time!
We would like to thank Robert for sharing his insight, The Royal Astronomical Society is hosting a #ObserveTheMoon Night event on Saturday 16th.
Join their evening event about the Moon here.
