I think it’s rather insulting to call people who are willing to put themselves potentially in harms way to serve their community as ‘muppets’, particularly when they are volunteers.

Agreed that keeping professionals on board would provide a better level of service (perhaps not the best word, but you know what I’m getting at), but given that the govt is going to be getting rid of many posts either way, shouldn’t you be happy that some people will step up to the mark, for free?

A well considered suggestion there. :rolleyes:

At least most of the related jobs are all in Britain – thank goodness.;)
exceptions being the F-35 CVs if they ever finish them – may on the other hand replace them as choice with UCAVs and Helicopters.

BAE is actually manufacturing a fair sized part of all F-35s, the tail section and control surfaces I believe?

edit From wiki: ” BAE Systems provides aft fuselage and empennages, horizontal and vertical tails, crew life support and escape systems, Electronic warfare systems, fuel system, and Flight Control Software (FCS1).”

Someone is way ahead of you there 😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeAfoiN5SDw

Nice to know there are some fellow space nuts on the forum 🙂

A development here in the UK is the SKYLON
http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/skylon.html

A reusable space vehicle powered by air breathing jet-rocket hybrid engines. The engines have been examined by ESA and apparently the concept is sound, prototypes are being constructed.

Another thing that’s being developed is the VASMIR, which could turn into a useful engine for getting around the solar system:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_Specific_Impulse_Magnetoplasma_Rocket

Also, this talk gives some interesting thoughts on the future of spaceflight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8PlzDgFQMM

Essentially the biggest problem is getting into orbit. If we can do that cheaply then anything is possible.

I want to know what is it as well now! 😀

Although I don’t condone his actions in particular, isn’t a 16 month custodial sentence extremely harsh, especially in the light of some of the offenders who get off with much less?

Thanks for the numbers, I suspected it would be something along those lines, but I was still a bit shocked 😮