Robert Lewis Fullarton Boyd. 19 October 1922—5 February 2004

Professor Sir Robert Boyd led the development of space science in the UK from the pre-Sputnik days using sounding rockets to the intensive collaboration with NASA and the successful structuring of European efforts through ESA. He founded the Mullard Space Science Laboratory of University College London and set high engineering standards for university-supplied space instruments, winning invitations to provide sensors for most of the major international space agencies. Sir Robert’s vision extended beyond the early studies of the ionized layers of the upper atmosphere to the effect of solar radiation on the Earth and also the astronomical importance of observing the Universe at all possible wavelengths.