Dukinfield boy who reached for the stars awarded CBE for work with NASA

A Tameside scientist who reached for the stars working for NASA has been honoured.

Dukinfield-raised Anthony Freeman received his accolade in the King’s New Year’s list for services to UK/US Relations in space and earth Science.

He was born in Tameside Hospital in Ashton, and lived in Mossley for a while, but grew up on Lodge lane in Dukinfield, then on Astley Street after he was 10.

However, he now calls California home, living in a small town called Cambria, which straddles the Pacific Coast Highway on California’s Central Coast.

He attended St John’s C of E  Primary School, then Stockport Grammar, before going to Tameside College his A levels, which is where he met  wife of 45 years, Phyllis, who comes from Glossop.

Dr Freeman studied Mathematics at UMIST before doing his PHD in Astrophysics.

During a 41-year career, Dr Freeman has worked as the Earth Science Formulation lead at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), leading JPL’s Innovation Foundry role as a champion for SmallSat missions, and as Formulation lead for Planetary Science.

He has helped shape the future of space exploration through developing new projects.

Before his retirement from NASA last April, Dr Freeman was one of the space agency's most senior leaders.

His work and research was used in space missions and explorations costing billions of dollars.

He also worked alongside the UK Space Agency and has taught at Caltech, USC, UCLA and other institutions.

Dr Freeman said: "My dad still lives on Astley Street and I get back to visit him a couple of times a year. And my two younger brothers still live nearby - one in Dukinfield, one in Ashton."