The OU’s involvement in the Rosetta mission is through its Department of Physical Sciences. The most visible contribution of the Open University is through the Ptolemy evolved gas analyser on the Philae lander, co-developed with RAL Space, that will analyse the surface of comet 67P for light elements such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. Monica Mary Grady, CBE, is a leading British space scientist, primarily known for her work on meteorites. She is currently Professor of Planetary and Space Science at the Open University.

Image courtesy of interviewee