The world launcher market is evolving fast with new competitors entering each year.  In 2011 the European Space Agency (ESA) will begin operations with two new vehicles – Soyuz and Vega.  Meanwhile Ariane 5 remains the number one choice for launching commercial geostationary satellites.

In 2012 Europe’s Space Ministers will decide whether to upgrade Ariane 5 – the so-called Ariane 5 Mid-life Extension (ME) – and/or to begin the definition and development of Ariane 6.

ESA’s Future Launcher Preparatory Programme (FLPP) has been assessing the systems, technologies and requirements for Europe’s future launchers and Guy Pilchen will provide an authoritative view of the options being considered for the future, including:

• current status of the down-selection of launch system concept

• the technology developments required for reduced-mass structures and stages, thus underpinning cost optimized launch systems

• development status of integrated demonstrators, including the mid-scale demonstrator of a Staged Combustion High Thrust Engin.

Speaker: Capt David Rowland

A joint event with the IMechE

RAeS Branch contact - Alan Matthews: [email protected]

Lecture will be held at the the Canberra Club, BAE Systems Samlesbury. All Lectures commence at 7.30pm. For Security reasons non-BAE Systems employees are requested to advise Alan Matthews of their intention to attend.

FOR SECURITY REASONS, WHEN ATTENDING LECTURES AT BAE Systems PLEASE BRING YOUR PROGRAMME CARD WITH YOU TO SHOW AT THE DOOR. GUESTS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND PROVIDED THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY A CARD HOLDER.

Please note: Attendance at Corporate Partner Briefings is exclusive to RAeS Corporate Partners.

Patrick Goudou, Executive Director, European Aviation Safety Agency

Aerospace Medicine Symposium: A Selection of Challenging Aeromedical Cases

This medical ‘Grand Round’ will educate aeromedical specialists about the decision-making process in complex aeromedical cases and the need to understand the evidence base underpinning the decisions made. The combination of military and civilian national level experts in aerospace medicine that would not be obtainable from any other source will ensure that aerospace medical practitioners will benefit in their daily practice from attending this Symposium.

Please note: Attendance at Corporate Partner Briefings is exclusive to RAeS Corporate Partners.

Leo Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, QinetiQ Group Plc

Browse and buy a wide range of aviation & aerospace literature

The Royal Aeronautical Society is pleased to be holding its third annual Book Sale at No.4 Hamilton Place. This is a great opportunity for both RAeS members and enthusiasts to leaf through and purchase a wide selection of aviation and aerospace books and publications.

The Story Behind the Spin: The Human Centrifuge in Aerospace Medicine

Perhaps best known as a fiendish torture device from which James Bond escaped, or an exhausting experience during flying training, the human centrifuge has been pivotal to advancements in aviation and space medicine over the last 80 years.  In this presentation, the story of the struggle against G force is told from the perspective of the human centrifuge.  In addition to understanding how it contributed to the development of modern day G protection, some of the technical challenges associated with the device will be explored. From a past rooted in research and development to possible futures in flight simulation and human spaceflight, the story of the centrifuge will be revealed in this Stewart Memorial Lecture.

‘Cleared to Land’ is a critical review of the politics of planning and the political scheming that took place during the search for London’s 3rd airport. Why was Stansted selected when it didn’t meet any of the criteria laid down for the 3rd airport? How were the costs distorted to favour Stansted in the face of public opposition to it? And who was the puppet master pulling the political strings behind the scenes?  Cleared to Land offers some insights into the machinations of government and the planning process and advocates that if the saga of Terminal Five and the Third runway at Heathrow are anything to go by then nothing has really changed during the last 40 years.

Speaker: John Hazelwood

The Cranwell Branch presents a lecture entitled ‘RAF Manned Space Programme 1953 -1960′, delivered by John Hazelwood at RAF College Cranwell on 7th March 2011.

Branch contact: Nick Deepan [email protected]

The French Air & Space Academy will be visiting the UK and will host an informative evening of aerospace lectures. The evening will commence with a presentation of the Air & Space Academy hosted by Gerard Brachet and will be followed by three short presentations by aerospace experts.

Taking place on the 13th & 14th April 2011 at the Society’s Headquarters, Aerospace 2011: Funding the Future will focus on Aerospace & Aviation in an Age of Austerity and address how both the civil and defence communities can look to overcome economic uncertainties and grow business in the coming years.

Speaker: Lee Franks

The Brough Branch presents a lecture entitled ‘F-35 Lightning II’, delivered by Lee Franks,  Capability Insertion and Project Manager, BAE Systems, and President Hull Assiociation of Engineers on 9th March 2011.

Contact: [email protected]

If you’ve ever wanted to know the behind the scenes story of Flight Testing at the Boeing this lecture will take you there.  It will cover some of the most dynamic, risky and interesting testing done to date on the 787 and 747-8 programs.  The lecture will use actual flight test footage of the conditions flown with an explanation of the piloting techniques involved and engineering data gathered.  Each of the videos will have a personal storyline which might surprise the listeners.  It will also be an audience interactive talk with questions to those in attendance before and after each subject.  The topics will range from first flight to maximum brake energy testing on the newest Boeing model airplanes.  The lecture will be divided into three parts: 747-8, 787 and a small section on common type rating between the 787 and 777.  Capt Santoni will be able to relate his personal experiences on the types of testing shown as he has either participated in the actual test or has done similar flights on other models.  There will be time to engage with the speaker after the lecture on any flight test topic of interest.

As the Single European Sky programme develops Interoperability Regulations on Surveillance, and the UK CAA, in conjunction with DfT, MOD and NATS, progresses the Future Airspace Strategy, the means of delivering future surveillance requirements and the part that ADS-B may play is a key issue. This RAeS Avionics & Systems Group Lecture will introduce the key issues, explore the technical issues and discuss the future strategy and regulatory aspects from both a national and European perspective.

Speaker: Dr David Baker, Author of ‘Haynes Manual’ - NASA Space Shuttle

The Stevenage Branch presents a lecture entitled ‘The NASA Space Shuttle’, delivered by Dr David Baker, at the Lunchpad, EADS Astrium, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, 1730 for 1800 on the 3rd March 2011

Branch Contact: [email protected]

Branch website: https://sites.google.com/site/raesstevenage/