Space Oddity
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2014
- Messages
- 217
- Reaction score
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I've been thinking about rocketry in general and the UK in particular. Mainly in how we can encourage new entrants to the hobby/sport.
Unfortunately it is perceived as the preserve of "anoraks" and those that should be certified rather than certificated when applying for level 1, 2, or 3, certificates. It is seen as a past time for model makers.
As I've said previously, I have been critical of UKRA and UK clubs but given the low level of interest in the UK, they are actually doing a reasonable job with small numbers and smaller contributions. Maybe the answer is less about what UKRA can do and more about what "we" can do to encourage new entrants. After all, the more people involved, the wider the publicity, the greater demand for kits and components, the lower the cost for all of us.
As an engineer and a UK citizen, I'm very much aware that there is an election coming up in the UK. Specifically as an engineer I have seen the intense focus all of the parties are placing on engineering, aerospace, and apprenticeships in the UK. At last the rise of service industry at the expense of manufacturing is being acknowledged. The key targets for government and opposition in their election campaign are manufacturing, young engineers, female engineers in particular, and apprenticeships.
The UK are leaders in the field of aerospace along with the U.S. France and Germany. Other less traditional nations are catching up however. Surely Rosetta must be inspirational to future European engineers as Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo was to the world in years gone by.
Pre and post UK elections seems to me an ideal time for aerospace to benefit from government interest. In a small and spin off way I think rocketry as a hobby/sport might also benefit.
So getting to my point at last, isn't time a UK backed initiative, maybe in the form of a competition was launched to encourage young engineers to become involved in rocketry? Not a new idea I know but the timing for such an initiative is ideal.
An initiative that might extend at different levels to schools, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship schools within UK industry. Industry would be the most important in being able to provide sponsorship along with the larger rocketry equipment suppliers. I would presume much support from within the hobby/support community but would expect the leadership and direction to come from UKRA.
The challenge to industry involves research, design, build and test. Surely something that encompasses all of the engineering and project disciplines.
As I say, not a new idea but one that seems sensible to me and one that might play a part in elevating the image of rocketry beyond the level of old anoraks like me, and into the realm of new and young engineering.
If there are any UKRA members and especially officials reading this I would be keen to read their views and thoughts to understand why it could, or couldn't happen.
SO.
Unfortunately it is perceived as the preserve of "anoraks" and those that should be certified rather than certificated when applying for level 1, 2, or 3, certificates. It is seen as a past time for model makers.
As I've said previously, I have been critical of UKRA and UK clubs but given the low level of interest in the UK, they are actually doing a reasonable job with small numbers and smaller contributions. Maybe the answer is less about what UKRA can do and more about what "we" can do to encourage new entrants. After all, the more people involved, the wider the publicity, the greater demand for kits and components, the lower the cost for all of us.
As an engineer and a UK citizen, I'm very much aware that there is an election coming up in the UK. Specifically as an engineer I have seen the intense focus all of the parties are placing on engineering, aerospace, and apprenticeships in the UK. At last the rise of service industry at the expense of manufacturing is being acknowledged. The key targets for government and opposition in their election campaign are manufacturing, young engineers, female engineers in particular, and apprenticeships.
The UK are leaders in the field of aerospace along with the U.S. France and Germany. Other less traditional nations are catching up however. Surely Rosetta must be inspirational to future European engineers as Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo was to the world in years gone by.
Pre and post UK elections seems to me an ideal time for aerospace to benefit from government interest. In a small and spin off way I think rocketry as a hobby/sport might also benefit.
So getting to my point at last, isn't time a UK backed initiative, maybe in the form of a competition was launched to encourage young engineers to become involved in rocketry? Not a new idea I know but the timing for such an initiative is ideal.
An initiative that might extend at different levels to schools, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship schools within UK industry. Industry would be the most important in being able to provide sponsorship along with the larger rocketry equipment suppliers. I would presume much support from within the hobby/support community but would expect the leadership and direction to come from UKRA.
The challenge to industry involves research, design, build and test. Surely something that encompasses all of the engineering and project disciplines.
As I say, not a new idea but one that seems sensible to me and one that might play a part in elevating the image of rocketry beyond the level of old anoraks like me, and into the realm of new and young engineering.
If there are any UKRA members and especially officials reading this I would be keen to read their views and thoughts to understand why it could, or couldn't happen.
SO.