Aiming for the stars is much more than a flight of fancy, writes Ken Mann

Being a rocket scientist may seem a far off career destination when you’re still at school. Yet last week I was reminded, through two events at each end of that journey, that aiming for the
stars is much more than a flight of fancy.

For a man charged with working towards the next frontier, making low-cost space travel for the public a reality, Mark Thomas’s conversation paradoxically seems anchored to terra firma.

Providing me with the first of those occasions to ponder careers in science that make a difference, our paths crossed as a result of another journalistic assignment before our question and answer exchanges turned to jobs.

Education was at the root of that topic, in particular the need to avoid an economy-restricting ceiling on the available pool of qualified labour. A Scottish flavour to this tale offers a first-class incubator blueprint in context. More in a moment.

Thomas’s post is accurately described as high-flying. At 44 years of age, arguably he has arrived at his journey’s end in terms of ultimate professional aspiration.

In May he joined Reaction Engines Limited as its managing director. The company, based at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, is in the transition phase of taking its unique SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) technology to the development stage.

It is no product of a youngsters’ imagination. Aerospace giant BAE Systems has just paid nearly £21 million for a 20 per cent slice of the action.

In short, the engine is remarkable for its ability to combine both space and atmospheric (hypersonic at Mach 5) modes of operation in one unit, drastically improving efficiency and cost profile. It is a new class of propulsion. Organisations like business magnate Elon Musk’s SpaceX could become customers.

Reaction’s new MD’s resume explains why he has been installed.

The former Cambridge engineering graduate spent 25 years at Rolls-Royce plc. Notable in that experience are posts as chief engineer on the EJ200 and Trent 900 engine programmes, respectively the jet power plants for the Typhoon fighter aircraft and the world’s largest passenger airliner, the Airbus A380.

His last position with the British multi-national advanced engineer was as leader of its elite Technology and Future Programmes division, focused on civil aircraft large engines.

Reaction Engines sets great store by bringing forward young talent, both at graduate and technical apprentice levels. It currently employs just 75 but plans to double that in two years.

Thomas agrees neither Scotland nor the UK at large is producing a sufficient number of engineers to meet demand.

"If we are going to inspire the next generation, that process has to begin as early as possible," he believes. "In my previous life with Rolls-Royce I was Governor of a Technology Academy sponsored by a number of companies. That was very successful. I’ve actually seen the product of that Academy, students emerging and doing great things.

"I really want to use this [SABRE engine development] as a project that provokes that same spirit and helps spark growth in the engineering population.

"It is really important. Right now – today – I need to recruit another 50 engineers. That will be a combination of high-end, very experienced people, and graduate or apprenticeship level across a range of skills."

For someone in Thomas’s leadership seat to admit that "that may be a challenge" is a genuinely sobering thought.

On the side of hope, the second of my brace of events ably demonstrated evidence that at least in the independent school sector in Scotland there is recognition of opportunity that awaits those young people who might be encouraged to examine a scientific career.

It can’t have been coincidence that Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde – a conspicuous international hub of scientific endeavour and seat of technology learning – was invited to be guest of honour at the opening of a new and expanded Science Building, representing a significant investment in "start-of-art" teaching facilities at St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. In performing the opening ceremony, and quoting from analysis conducted earlier this year by The Royal Academy of Engineering, it must surely have been an eye-opener for invited guests when he underlined a one million shortfall in the number of engineers needed in the UK by 2020. That’s the year that Mark Thomas nominates
as the point at which a commercial version of SABRE should be fully tested.

The school already occupies a top-ranking academic position in annual Scottish Qualifications Authority measures.

Addressing gathered pupils, McDonald insisted: "Science-related [STEM – science, technology, engineering and maths] careers will be your international passport. Pupils of today who have a good scientific education will undoubtedly make an impact on society and business in the future, whatever paths they may choose for their career."

Such facilities should be, as an economic expedient, available to all senior school pupils in Scotland. Ongoing investment in the schools estate helps bring it closer. Schools that encourage by demonstration will be the tool to unlock the door, however. McDonald confirmed he was impressed by teacher involvement in experiments at St Columba’s.

It’s not rocket science, yet it’s still proving just as cerebrally taxing to properly feed the engine of industry. I hope the moment, and momentum of investment in facilities, isn’t lost.