Isabelle Crossley

PhD student, President of Durham University Spaceflight Society

What do you do?

I am a physics PhD student working on developing instrumentation surrounding the applications of superconducting, single photon counting detectors. Beyond my postgraduate studies, I lead Durham University Spaceflight, a rocketry team that recently launched Rosemary 2, the highest and fastest UK amateur rocket ever!

Our other projects encompass designing and manufacturing both single stage and dual stage rockets, developing our own rocket engines, launching weather balloons and developing scientific payloads. Additionally, I am now running a national outreach programme called Launch 4 Change: Future Climate & Space Innovators. This will engage over 1000 university students and school pupils nationally each year and ignite a passion for STEM through rockets! 

How are you involved in this area of science? 

This is my fourth year with the team! After being elected president, my primary goal has been to grow the team. My main responsibilities include guiding the direction of the team, recruiting and training new members, pitching for sponsorships and overseeing team leads. I also still get to work on concept design and manufacturing! Our goal is to launch to higher altitudes, eventually reaching the Karman line. So far, we have achieved success.

A particular highlight being the Rosemary 2 launch out in the Mojave Desert in September. This launched to 18.4km at 3.3 times the speed of sound - the fastest and highest UK amateur rocket ever! Previously we won Mach-23, the largest rocketry competition in the UK. We competed in the Spaceport America Cup, which involves launching at White Sands in New Mexico! This year, we are excited to design and fly our first liquid-fuelled rocket! 

What do you love about this topic?

My fascination with space began when I was a teenager, at this point I started launching model rockets. Now, leading a university rocket launching team is a dream come true! I love working alongside teammates who share my passion, collaborating on projects all the way from initial concept to launch. There's nothing quite like the excitement of launch day - I have been involved in fifteen to date! Additionally, travelling to competitions is a lot of fun and gives us the opportunity to meet many other amazing university students. I love seeing new DUSF members become inspired by our projects and develop their skills. 

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

 With the UK Space Sector rapidly growing, inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers is crucial. Durham University Spaceflight allows students to work on exciting, hands-on space projects, equipping them with essential skills for careers in the space industry. Rockets provide an engaging way to ignite a passion for science and engineering, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through practical application. The thrill of designing, building, and launching rockets fosters creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Through these experiences, students are inspired and prepared to pursue future careers in the UK space industry.