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Angeliki Kapoglou is an ESA-funded PhD student at UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, currently based at the Human and Robotic Exploration Strategy Department at ESTEC.
Her research is focussed on applying Mission-Driven Innovation Models to enable sustainable lunar exploration. A key focus of her research is the strategic planning, mission design and the commercial partnerships for ESA's In-situ Resource Utilisation Demo mission concept, which aims to produce drinkable water and/or breathable oxygen on the Moon by 2025. Her research is also supported by the Luxembourg Space Resources Initiative.
Angeliki was first introduced to creative design methodologies for early space mission concept formulation, while at JPL Innovation Foundry. After JPL she spent a year at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (the d.school) at Stanford University, where she became interested in organisational design, learning how innovation works and applying Human-Centered Design methodologies as a strategic planning tool for lunar exploration.
Since then, she has worked as a design strategy consultant for new space initiatives in the US, ESA and DLR. Given her background in international research centers, she has been exposed to the complex interplay between exploration and politics and one of her favorite things is bringing together diversely skilled leaders from inside and outside of the space sector, to define strategies that can advance lunar development in the near and mid-term. To this end, she employs an understanding of psychology, social movements, and creativity that ultimately build stronger impact-oriented communities.
The result of this effort has been the establishment of a fledgling multinational and multidisciplinary community which is taking active steps to make lunar exploration a reality. Apart from her space activities, Angeliki is also interested in the intersection of geopolitics with the digital world and its effect on social challenges and future societies.
Angeliki is a an elected member of the Moon Village Association Board of Directors and an advocate for women in science and technology through UNOOSA’s “Space for Women” initiative.
