THIS EVENT HAS NOW FINISHED! The current ‘Space Age’ arguably began in the immediate post war ‘40s when V2s began to carry instruments above the atmosphere to determine Earth’s environment at high altitudes.
A decade later orbital spaceflight began and yet another decade or so led to the first human presence on the moon. Since then there has been a more or less permanent, if small, human population in orbit around our planet.
Our knowledge of the Solar System is now incomparably great compared to 50 years ago. All of this has been possible because of the technology of the expendable rocket having its origins with those first V2s. But now we want to do so much more. We need to extend the utility of space for the human race and we want to get people onto the surface of other worlds to see what they are about. The faithful expendable rocket, which has served us so well, is simply not up to the job. New technology is needed; cheaper, more reliable and more frequent. The UK is well placed to lead this new Space Age technologically; it just needs some visionary leadership.
Speaker: Alan Bond, Managing Director Reaction Engines Ltd
Date: Thursday 19th November 2009
Time: 18:00hrs, refreshments will be served from 17:30hrs.
Location: No.4 Hamilton Place, London
