David Southwood

David John Southwood (born 30 June 1945) is a British space scientist who holds the post of Senior Research Investigator at Imperial College London. He was the President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2012–2014, and Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency from 2001–2011. Southwood's research interests have been in solar–terrestrial physics and planetary science, particularly magnetospheres. He built the magnetic field instrument for the Cassini Saturn orbiter.

Early life and education Southwood was born in Torquay, Devon, and attended Cockington County Primary School, then Torquay Boys' Grammar School. At school he specialized in languages. However, he studied mathematics for his first degree He then returned to Imperial College in 1971, and the ESA missions continue with a new collaboration with Roscosmos. In 2009, two large astronomical spacecraft, Herschel and Planck, were launched.

Awards Southwood has received the following awards and prizes: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to space science and industry. Honorary Doctorate of Science from Plymouth University, 2011 Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, 2011