- Claire Parfitt's career in space exploration began with cleaning a space toilet during work experience at age 14 at the National Space Centre in Leicester.
- She now leads a team at the European Space Agency's European Space Research and Technology Centre, planning future human and robotic Mars missions.
- Parfitt holds a physics degree and PhD in spacecraft power systems engineering and has worked on missions like ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover and SMILE.
- Her early inspiration came from supportive science teachers and seeing a female director at the Space Centre, which helped shape her career path.
- She chairs the International Mars Exploration Working Group and emphasizes the scientific importance of exploring Mars while planning carefully for future missions.