大象传媒

In this Sky at Night special, the team talk to Dr Nicola Fox, NASA鈥檚 head of science, whose life began in the UK.

Presenter Chris Lintott chats to Nicky about her early years growing up in Hitchin in Hertfordshire and discovers how she fell in love with the stars.

Maggie Aderin-Pocock takes Nicky on a trip down memory lane. Both women studied physics at Imperial College London from the late 80s to early 90s. As they revisit familiar haunts, they discuss their experiences, and Maggie finds out about Nicky鈥檚 love of astrophysics, the challenges she overcame and how she landed a dream job at NASA.

Along the way, Maggie and Nicky chat about how the university and science have changed, and how new technology and deeper understanding are fuelling the missions for which Nicky is now responsible. As they come across familiar places, nostalgia hits, and the two women unleash their inner child.

Finally, Chris and Nicky discuss her role as the associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA, and Nicky reveals what the exciting plans for future missions may reveal.