About

He was the Vice President and co-founder of the U.S non-profit Icarus Interstellar, and in this capacity was on the winning team for the NASA/DARPA 100 Year Starship project. He was the originator, co-founder, Executive Director then President for the U.K not-for-profit the Initiative for Interstellar Studies as well as the first President of the U.S Institute for Interstellar Studies and then Chairman. He is also a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, has served on its governing council and was the Chief Editor of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society (JBIS). He is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Physics.

He is the founder and Managing Director of the aerospace consultancy company Stellar Engines Ltd. He was previously the Managing Director of the property and investment company Terra Altair Ltd. He was also one of the co-founders of the company Nebula Sciences Ltd, which conducted high altitude balloon launches into the stratosphere, and he served as the technical science lead director.

Previously, he enjoyed a long career (2002 - 2015) working as a physicist with the UK Ministry of Defence on ballistic missile technologies. This included a close working relationship with the U.S Department of Energy through the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). His work focussed on the legacy and existing UK/US stockpile programs and has given him a unique insight into the prospects of thermonuclear warfare and its consequences for humanity.

He has also been a London College teacher of Engineering Design for two years and a University Lecturer of Space Science for three years. He was a Visiting Lecturer at the International Space University in Strasbourg-France for five years. He served on the Breakthrough Initiative Project Starshot Advisory Committee and has acted as an advisor to the United States Air Force and several US and UK companies.

He has published numerous technical and popular articles associated with interstellar flight and has also been involved with the production of numerous books. He also enjoys reading and writing science fiction and has published several short stories. Other than space exploration his other interests include ancient history, theoretical physics, cosmology, spirituality, metaphysics, astronomy and the welfare and rights of animals. 

In his younger days he was also a member of the 10th Battalion The Parachute Regiment Volunteer Reserve of the British Army for 4.5 years. This included completing the selection test known as P-Company to earn the coveted red beret. He also completed airborne training at Number 1 Parachute School RAF Brize Norton to earn his wings and become a qualified military parachutist. He participated in NATO exercises at different locations in the world. His main academic qualifications are listed below.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Physics:

Centre for Fusion, Space & Astrophysics, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, 2009 - 2015, 2023 - 2024.

Thesis Title: "The Application of Inertial Confinement Fusion Physics to Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion for Deep Space Missions". <Read Abstract>

Master Science (MSc) Astrophysics:

Department of Mathematics & Astronomy, University of London, 2000 - 2002.

Thesis Title: "Mathematical Models of the Solar Wind". <Read Abstract>

Bachelor (BEng) Aerospace Engineering:

Department of Engineering, University of London, 1996 - 2000.

Thesis Title: "Thermal Protection Systems for Re-entry". <Read Abstract>

Foundation Certificate Science & Computing:

Department of Sciences, University of East London, 1994 - 1996.

He is an Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society, Chartered Member of the Institute of Physics and a Member of the Whale & Dolphin Conservation. He has served on numerous advisory committees to include with the Breakthrough Initiatives Project Starshot, the Limitless Space Institute, the United States Air Force, among others. He is an academic peer reviewer for the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, Acta Astronautica, Elsivier Universe, Journal of Spacecraft & Rockets, Journal of Propulsion & power.