From Manjimup to the Moon

Jaxon Liebeck, a 2016 graduate from Manjimup Senior High School, returned to the classroom where it all began, to share his experience as flight director for Firefly Aerospace's recent commercial lunar landing.

On 2 March, the 26-year-old’s boyhood dreams became a reality when Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost mission landed successfully on the Moon.

As the flight director, Mr Liebeck was at the helm of the lunar lander, which was carrying a drill, a vacuum and other equipment for NASA. 

The role involved tracking telemetry data for different technical elements of the space mission and developing contingency plans in case of unforeseen issues. 

Speaking to ABC South West, Mr Liebeck said he wanted show kids that grow up in small towns that they can have a career in space. 

"It's something that not many kids from here, from where I grew up, see as a real, viable option to do as a career," Mr Liebeck Said.  

At the age of 17, Mr Liebeck was one of three Australian students accepted into the Foundation for International Space Education's program in Texas.  

This cemented his passion for space and set him on the path to study aerospace engineering at the University of Texas. 

“Space is the next frontier,” he said.  

"I get to do my passion. It's not every day that you get to attempt to land on the Moon.  

Mr Liebeck’s former teacher, Craig Walsh, who still currently teaches at Manjimup Senior High School, said it was important for the students to hear the success stories of people who once sat in the same seats. 

"For our students in a geographically isolated town, it's pretty important to see that you can actually dream big,” he told ABC South West.  

"Reach for the stars and aim for the best.” 

 To learn more about Jaxon’s story to space, watch Firefly Aerospace’s video.