Transport Minister visited Reaction Engines
today (7 December 2017) to meet engineers, graduates and
apprentices working on cutting-edge technology that will enable
the UK to compete in the global space market.
Touring the innovative engineering company in Abingdon,
Oxfordshire, the minister was shown the site’s advanced
manufacturing facilities.
Supported by a £60 million funding commitment from the UK
government via the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency,
Reaction Engines are partnering with UK aerospace suppliers to
deliver a prototype engine over the next few years.
During the visit, met apprentices on the
company’s 4 year Level 3 Advanced Apprentice scheme, as well as
Reaction Engines’ first intake of graduates, who have been
working alongside design engineers since September 2017.
The Space Industry Bill,
which is currently making its way through Parliament, will ensure
businesses like Reaction Engines can take advantage of new
markets, boosting the economy and creating new jobs.
Providing the framework for commercial launch and sub-orbital
flight operations, the legislation will include regulations that
are flexible to respond to emerging technologies. The aim is to
position the UK as a market that appeals to investors and
attracts the finest talent.
The minister was briefed on SABRE (Synergetic Air Breathing
Rocket Engine) and the exciting heat exchanger technology which
significantly reduces engine temperatures associated with
high-speed flight, potentially unlocking future high speed air
transport and space flights.
SABRE - Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine - is a new class
of engine for powering both high speed aircraft and spacecraft,
enabling flight over 5 times the speed of sound in the
atmosphere. The technology could enable space launch vehicles to
be built that will radically improve the affordability and
responsiveness of access to space.
Alongside their SABRE development Programme, Reaction Engines has
developed world-leading capabilities in advanced manufacturing
and offers a unique range of services from propulsion systems to
advanced heat exchanger design.
Minister of State for Transport, said:
It is tremendous to see the ingenuity and significant
breakthroughs in aerospace technologies being made by Reaction
Engines here in the UK.
Increasing our space capabilities will create jobs and career
opportunities for young people looking to go into science,
technology, engineering and maths.
With the UK’s space sector worth £13.7 billion and ambitions to
grow our share of the global market by 10%, the Space Industry
Bill will ensure we achieve this goal and continue to be one of
the forerunners in the new space age.
Mark Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at Reaction Engines said:
I am delighted that the Right Honourable MP chose to visit
Reaction Engines today to take a closer look at our technology
and to meet with our brilliant apprentices and graduates.
Being at the forefront of next generation aerospace propulsion
we have a great opportunity to inspire, develop and excite
young engineers and scientists who I am sure will go on to make
a difference in the world. We are proud of our achievements to
date, have benefited from the support of the UK government and
we look forward to taking part in the ‘Year of Engineering’
celebrations in 2018, which will showcase the best of UK
engineering and innovation.
Reaction Engines is enthused by the recent Spaceflight Bill and
Industrial Strategy, which will unlock further opportunities
and growth in a thriving UK space sector”.
was making his first visit
to the company, which is a pioneer in hypersonic and space access
propulsion. Meeting the company’s senior executives, the minister
was able to listen to the views of those at the frontline of the
space sector and understand how they will look to capture the
opportunities that the Space Industry Bill will provide.
