A section of a lunar craft in the foreground as the blue earth rises behind it in the blackness of space.
Earth rises spectacularly behind the Blue Ghost lunar lander. (Supplied: Firefly Aerospace)
As a country kid on a small farm in Pemberton, about 325 kilometres south of Perth, Jaxon Liebeck would gaze at the night sky.
Last month, the 26-year-old realised his dream of space exploration by leading an historic lunar landing.
US company Firefly Aerospace became the first commercial outfit in history to successfully land on the Moon, with Mr Liebeck at the helm, in Austin, Texas, as flight director.
The responsibilities of the role included monitoring telemetry data for various technical aspects of the space mission and working on contingency plans if the unexpected happened.
A young man stands, arms folded, smiling, in front of pin board covered in news clippings of notable high school students.
Mr Liebeck says it is important to show Australian students there are ways into the space industry. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
The distance from Earth introduced many challenges, including a delay in telemetry data that meant the landing sequence had to be automated.
"We don't get to see live footage of course. We are just looking at the messages the spacecraft is sending down," Mr Liebeck said.
"What people don't realise is the last 15 minutes is all automatic."
Fortunately, Mr Liebeck said the landing was successful and even exceeded simulations.
The craft casts a shadow on the moon's grey surface.
Blue Ghost touched down on the Moon on March. (Supplied: Firefly Aerospace)
From Manjimup to the Moon
Less than a month after the lunar landing, Mr Liebeck returned to WA's South West and the school where it all started, Manjimup Senior High.
"I just want to come here and show kids that grow up in little towns that they can have a career in space," he said.
Jaxon stands behind a desk and speaks to a group of year sevens in a classroom
Jaxon Liebeck spent a day talking to students at his old school about his role as flight director on the 'Blue Ghost' mission. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
Manjimup teacher Craig Walsh is one of Mr Liebeck's former tutors.
Mr Walsh 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," Mr Walsh said.
"Reach for the stars and and aim for the best."
Country kid's lucky break
When he was a student, Mr Lieback said there wasn't a clear path to the space industry.
"At the time there weren't many programs in Australia to do aerospace engineering," he said.
"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."
newspaper clipping with a picture of Jaxon at 17 years old when he was accepted to space program
Jaxon Liebeck made local news when he was accepted into the United Space School program in Texas. (ABC South West: Andrew Williams)
At 17, Mr Lieback was one of three Australian students accepted into the Foundation for International Space Education's program in Texas.
The experience solidified his passion for space and put him on the path to move to the United States and secure a degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Texas.
"Space is the next frontier," Mr Liebeck said.
"I get to do my passion. It's not every day that you get to attempt to land on the Moon."
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