About

Dr Kelvin F. Long

is an Aerospace Engineer, Astrophysicist and author. He has been working on the problem of interstellar spaceflight since around 2007 and seeks to bring about this hypothetical future as a self-fulfilling prophecy. He has been involved with the founding of numerous projects, initiatives and companies which have deep space exploration and interstellar spaceflight as a primary goal.

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.

Details: Studying inertial confinement physics using optical lasers for direct/indirect drive scenarios but also for shock assisted ignition. Work extended into applications for propulsion, with case studies for missions to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, 1,000 AU and Interstellar. Involved construction of large Fortran 95 coding to model mission profile and propulsion performance. Also involved derivation of original equations to describe ICF propulsion theory which were presented for the first time.

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.

Details: Completed courses in Stellar Structure & Evolution, Plasma Astrophysics, Astrophysical Fluids, Cosmology, Relativistic Astrophysics, Extragalactic Astrophysics, Accretion Processes in Astrophysics, Solar System Dynamics, Research Methods in Astrophysics, Nuclear Astrophysics, Galaxies.

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

Bachelor (BEng) Aerospace Engineering:

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

Details: Completed courses in Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Materials, Stress Analysis, Structural Analysis, Dynamics, Vibrations, Mechanics of Fluids, Elementary Aeronautical Engineering, Classical Aerodynamics, Applied Aerodynamics, Thermodynamics, Engineering Design, Stability & Control of Aircraft, Aerospace Structures, Operational & Financial Management, Aerospace Design, Aircraft Propulsion, Electrical Technology, Engineering Materials. For the final year project the student worked with several companies including DERA, Fluid Gravity Engineering and Plastechnol Engineering to test a U.K candidate re-entry material for the Mars Express space mission which was eventually launched to Mars in 2003.

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

Foundation Certificate Science & Computing:

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

Details: Completed courses in Digital Systems, Computer Skills, Computer Programming in C++, Scientific Method, Applied Physics, Living with Technology, Mathematics


Employment & Positions

  • Founder & Director, Interstellar Research Centre, 2019+…

  • Advisory Board, Limitless Space Institute, USA, 2019 - 2022.

  • Chairman, Institute for Interstellar Studies, USA, 2016 - 2018.

  • President, Initiative for Interstellar Studies, UK, 2017 - 2018.

  • Advisory Council, Breakthrough Initiative Project Starshot, 2016 - 2023.

  • Managing Director & founder, Terra Altair Ltd, UK, 2016 - 2022.

  • Director & co-founder, Nebula Sciences, USA, 2016-2017.

  • Director & co-founder, Nebula Sciences Ltd, UK, 2015-2017.

  • President & co-founder, Institute for Interstellar Studies, USA, 2014-2016

  • Visiting Lecturer, International Space University, Strasbourg, France, 2013-2018

  • Consultant, Reaction Engines Ltd, 2013.

  • Advisory Board, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, UK, 2016+…

  • Chief Editor, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, UK, 2012-2016.

  • Executive Director & co-founder, Initiative for Interstellar Studies, UK, 2012 - 2017.

  • Governing Council Member, British Interplanetary Society, UK, 2012-2013.

  • Vice President & Co-founder, Icarus Interstellar, USA, 2011-2012.

  • Managing Director & founder, Stellar Engines Ltd, UK, 2011+…

  • Deputy Chairman, British Interplanetary Society Technical Committee, 2010-2015.

  • Assistant Editor, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, UK, 2010-2012.

  • Practitioner, Tau Zero Foundation, USA, 2007-2012.

  • Project Leader & Founder, Project Icarus, 2009-2011.

  • Visiting Researcher, Blackett Laboratory, Department of Physics, Imperial College, UK, 2005.

  • Design Physicist, Ministry of Defence, 2002-2015.

  • Lecturer Space Science, Reading University, 2004-2006.

  • Teacher, Engineering Design, East London College, 2000-2002.

  • Technician Scientist, Defence Evaluation Research Agency, Ministry of Defence, 1999.

Memberships

  • Member Radio Society of Great Britain, 2020+

  • Member, Smithsonian National Air & Space Society, 2013+…

  • Member Mars Society, 2013+

  • Associate Member, International Association of Astronomical Artists, 2013+

  • Member Planetary Society, 2010+

  • Chartered Member, Institute of Physics (CPhys MInstP), 2007+…

  • Fellow British Interplanetary Society (FBIS), 2008+…

  • Member British Interplanetary Society (MBIS), 1999-2007.

  • Member Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society2013+

  • Member, Institute of Physics (MInstP), 2003-2007.

  • Fellow, The Royal Astronomical Society, 2000-2005.

  • The Royal Aeronautical Society, 1997-2000.

  • Airborne Brotherhood, 1996+…

Advisory Committees/Panels

The following is a list of advisory committees that Kelvin has been a member of.

  • Breakthrough Initiatives Project Starshot, 2016 - 2023.

  • Limitless Space Institute, 2019-2022.

  • United States Air Force, Project Starfall, 2018.

  • Nuclear Propulsion Group, Reaction Engines Ltd, 2014.

  • Thuban Consortium, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, 2012 - 2013.

  • British Interplanetary Society Technical Committee, 2012-2015.

  • British Interplanetary Society “BIS Future” Marketing Committee, 2012.

  • Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, 2010+.

Academic Journal Peer Reviewer

  • Journal of the British Interplanetary Society

  • Acta Astronautica

  • Elsivier Universe MDPI

  • Journal of Spacecraft & Rockets

  • Journal of Propulsion & Power