Meet our Scientists: Ice2Thrust.Space Highlights Leonor Jesus — Reaching for the Stars, One Test at a Time

On the picture: Leonor Jesus, Vacuum Test Bench Engineer, Technical University of Munich, Contributor to Ice2Thrust.Space (S4I2T)

Ice2Thrust.Space is proud to spotlight Leonor Jesus, Vacuum Test Bench Engineer at the Technical University of Munich, whose passion for space and hands-on engineering is helping bring tomorrow’s propulsion systems to life.

What drives Leonor is a continuous desire to learn and a deep curiosity about space. Her fascination with spaceflight grew alongside an enduring dream: to one day contribute to something as impactful as the first Moon landing.

That drive led her to Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, where she joined the Rocket Experiment Division (RED), the university’s rocketry team, as part of the propulsion team. She later rose to team leader and earned a seat on the executive board — and in that same year, the team’s rocket won its category at the European Rocketry Challenge (EuRoC) and became vice-champion overall.

Today, Leonor brings that same competitive spirit and engineering precision to Ice2Thrust. As Vacuum Test Bench Engineer, she was responsible for the design and commissioning of the test bench for the water electrolysis propulsion system in vacuum conditions, as well as leading the testing activities. It is the kind of work that sits at the very heart of turning a scientific concept into a technology ready for space.

Beyond her technical contributions, Leonor is a voice for inclusion and ambition. She encourages everyone — regardless of gender or background — to pursue their dreams with confidence, independence, and hard work. In her own words, no one should let fear or stereotypes stand between them and who they want to become.

Contact: Leonor Jesus, Vacuum Test Bench Engineer, Technical University of Munich, Contributor to Ice2Thrust.Space (S4I2T), leonor.jesus(@)tum.de