Dr. Katharine Smith

Biography

Katharine graduated with a BEng(Hons) in Aerospace Engineering from Queen Mary University of London in 2000. She was awarded an EPSRC studentship to complete her PhD research on the characterization of electrospray properties in high vacuum at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, receiving her degree from the University of London in 2005. Following her PhD, Katharine worked as a post-doctoral research fellow in the Electrospray Research Group at Queen Mary University of London until September 2008 when she was appointed as a Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at the School of Engineering and Materials Science. She joined the University of Manchester as a Lecturer in Aerospace Propulsion in August 2010. By December 2013, she became a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2016, and subsequently became a Reader in 2021. Her research interests are centered on space systems engineering with a particular focus on nano-satellite systems, electric propulsion, and space robotics, particularly in situ resource utilization. Additionally, her work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals that aim to eradicate poverty and protect the planet.

Research Interests