Starman Leo praised by NASA for work in forecasting the weather in space
Leo Hayes, a University of Lancashire graduate, has been praised by NASA for his work on improving space weather forecasting
A University of Lancashire graduate has been praised by NASA for his help in improving space weather forecasting during the final years of his studies.
The accolade from the USA government’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) came after 31-year-old Leo Hayes developed a machine-learning framework designed toimprove decision-making in space weather forecasting.
Space weather forecasting monitors solar activity to predict potential disruptions to critical technologies, including satellites, communications systems and power grids.
The SWPC described the work as ”exactly the direction we should be going in the space weather community“ and said it intends to reference the research as the organisation develops its future statistical analysis strategy.
Leo said: “It was amazing to receive this feedback from the SWPC.
“To work on a genuine industry challenge and make a meaningful contribution as part of my university dissertation has been incredibly rewarding and has given me real confidence as I pursue a career in the space industry.”
Leo further strengthened his industry experience through a year-long placement with Airbus Defence and Space as a Digital Satellite Systems Intern, undertaken as part of his degree.
Working on the hardware and software behind next-generation communications satellite processors, he gained first-hand experience of a global space organisation, collaborated with industry professionals and even had the opportunity to see Mars rovers up close.
He said: My placement completely transformed my understanding of the industry.
“It allowed me to apply everything I had learned in a real-world environment, work alongside experienced engineers and see how complex space systems are designed and developed.
“My placement gave me the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge I had gained at university. It helped me understand why the things I had learned were important and how they could be applied in a real engineering role.”
Originally working in IT, Leo made the decision during the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue a long-held ambition of working in the space sector.
Recognising that he needed to develop new technical skills, he enrolled on the University of Lancashire’s Foundation Year in Robotics Engineering before progressing to the full degree programme.
Throughout his studies, he immersed himself in opportunities that connected academic learning with industry experience. Alongside attending lectures through the University’s Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, Leo took part in engineering projects through the Mechatronics Club and became a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). He also worked as a student mentor, supporting Foundation Year and first-year students with mathematics and electronics and served as a course representative.
In 2023, he developed the software system for an exoskeleton that helped a University of Lancashire team secure first place at the inaugural ASTM International Exo Games, further demonstrating the practical engineering skills that would later support his success with Airbus and the SWPC.
Leo, who graduated in July, was also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder shortly before enrolling at the University. He says the diagnosis helped him better understand how he learns and works, enabling him to build on strengths that have supported his success in engineering and research.
He said: “Receiving my diagnosis was actually a positive experience because it helped me understand myself in a way I hadn’t before. It made me realise that the challenges I’d faced didn’t define my potential or my employability. industry.”