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Aerospace and Defence
KDC Resource has been operating in the aerospace and defence sector since 2002. We work with the world’s leading defence and civil aerospace companies to source and place high quality permanent and contract talent. We understand organisations like these need the finest engineering talent in order to help them develop some of the most sophisticated technologies in the world. We are currently engaged in finding leading technical talent for projects – among others – that are linked to the national defence of the United Kingdom. Our specialist team have successfully supported our clients find leading talent for roles across: Part 21 J, Certification, Cabin Interiors, Design, Avionics Design, Structures, Electrical Design, Compliance Verification Engineer (CVE), Head of Design, Airworthiness and EASA. KDC Resource is actively working on similar roles requiring industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Scroll down to learn more. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Space
The private Space sector is relatively young. The decommissioning of the Space Shuttle Programme was an opportunity for private businesses to support NASA with its operations both in orbit and beyond. Elsewhere in the world organisations are pioneering new satellite technologies, unmanned probes and innovative new ways to combat space junk. KDC Resource are proud to be working with a number of these organisations providing highly skilled technical talent into Flight Dynamics, AOCS, Earth Observation, GNSS, Mission Operations, Ground Segment and Payload. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels including Systems Engineers, Payload Engineers, AOCS Engineers, Product Assurance Engineers, RF Engineers and Control Engineers. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Emerging and Disruptive Technologies
The world is always changing and that brings new opportunities and new innovations. At KDC Resource, our emerging and disruptive technologies team works with organisations that upset the status quo. Whether that’s how we travel or how we use technology to revolutionise mundane tasks. We have recruited for roles across the eVTOL, Urban Mobility, Electric Vehicle, Drone, Energy, Battery Technology, Autonomous Systems and Composite Structure markets. Including roles such as Battery Systems Engineers, Flight Control Law Engineers, AI Software Developers, Prototype Engineers, Autonomous System Engineers, and Safety and Reliability Engineers. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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Cyber Security
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common and businesses of all sizes are struggling to muster a meaningful defence. There are genuine concerns that critical infrastructure could be targeted by hackers or by enemy states in event of a conflict. Which is why finding the best cyber security and technology specialists takes experts. We are proud to work with some of the market leaders in this vital industry to find top tier candidates to fulfil cybersecurity roles at every level. Roles we recruit for include: Penetration Testers, Ethical Hackers, Security Analysts, Cyber Security Architects, Software Engineers, Technical Project Managers, AI Engineers, Sales Managers and Cyber Account Executives. Our specialist recruitment consultants are actively searching for industry leading professionals to fulfil roles at all levels. Or if you’d like to partner with KDC to support your talent search then click here to learn more.
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What people are saying
What we do
We work with industry leaders in aerospace, defence, space, emerging and disruptive technology and cyber security to source the best technical and engineering talent on the market.
Our specialist recruitment consultants are trained to find the right mix of skills, experience and personality to ensure the perfect placement for candidate and client.
Over 150,000 candidates trust us to manage and fulfil their career aspirations.
We’re committed to giving candidates and clients the best possible recruitment experience. That’s why KDC Resource is accredited by the REC & AUG and certified to BS EN ISO 9001 standard.
Latest News
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Cabin Interior Innovations to watch out for
In the weeks after we talked about how in-flight comfort has evolved over the years, we’ve been keeping an eye out for what may be coming next for aircraft. Airlines are constantly trying to strike the perfect balance of comfort, weight and space. It’s an unenviable and thankless task which often results in widespread customer dissatisfaction. From the economy class passengers at any rate. Airlines are in a difficult position. The market forces are driving costs up while customer expectations are pushing fairs down. All the while expecting the aircraft to be the lap of luxury, with a suite of entertainment and reliable WIFI. And not to be too hot, too cold or sit too close to another human being unless related to them in some way. Maybe not even then. This presents manufacturers and airlines with no shortage of challenges to make flights memorable for all the right reasons. On top of striving to make the aircraft more efficient to meet ever tightening emission standards. Seating and Comfort One of the biggest challenges airlines and manufacturers face is providing economy passengers with a pleasant flight. It’s a fight that’s almost impossible to win with expectations and costs constantly on an upwards curve. Every now and then airlines or manufacturers float ideas like all standing flights or seats that are more akin to a suspended harness, all to maximise capacity. Which addresses one issue at the expense of exacerbating the other. To add make matters worse for economy passengers there is no shortage of innovations that make first class more like a luxury hotel room, or transforms business class in to a contemporary cocoon of comfort and technology. The contrasts are awkward at best, insulting at worst. Economy class – in essence – hasn’t changed much beyond screens in the back of seats and the introduction of economy plus. However, new ideas are coming to the fore that could improve comfort. Companies like Expliseat are looking at super lightweight, super strong materials like titanium in order to save space on planes. Making the seats out lighter saves weight. As much as 4kg per passenger. On the average A320 that’s a saving of 744kg, roughly half the weight of the average car. Lightness improves fuel economy, which is good news for the airline. Or its an opportunity to carry more cargo. Light chairs are also narrower which can give passengers more leg room at the knee, improving comfort. Although the space saved may just result in extra rows being added into maximise capacity. UK based LAYER have developed a prototype for Airbus that uses sensors that allow passengers to control the temperature, tension and even the position of the seat – depending what is comfortable for you. Controlled via a downloadable app, the chair can even detect when you’re dehydrated or when it’s time to get up and stretch your legs and notify you. Further up the cabin, Safran is working on the Essential Business class concept that doesn’t articulate. Instead of heavy mechanical components, the seat uses cushion structures. They claim it reduces weight by 25% and increases space by 20% due to the absence of kinematic systems. Technology Although technology is always leaping forward, when flying with airlines it can sometimes be too subtle to see. Recent innovations in consumer technology means that manufacturers can bring cabin interiors screaming into the here and now. Especially from the perspective of inflight entertainment. Breakthroughs in screen technology has resulted in ultra-thin displays. This allows seat back screens to be significantly bigger without adding weight. Or generating excess heat which could pose a problem. Edge to edge screens will significantly improve image quality and user experience as well offer a host of other features or expanding existing offerings such as a broader range of games. Although with the roll out of WIFI on flights, seat back screens may become a thing of the past. The intention for most airlines is to introduce paid for content that can streamed to the passenger’s own device. So instead of only a handful of movies, passengers can choose from an archive of hundreds. Although some may be free, others will have a small fee to rent for the duration of the flight. Equally WIFI will allow passengers to access other streaming services as well as access social media and other web-based services. WIFI also allows airlines to offer apps to their customers that can be used to purchase food, drink and Duty Free without the need or the hassle of pushing a narrow rattling trolley up and down the aisle. Customers can simply order what they want and the cabin crew bring it to them a few moments later. However, the most surprising technology that could be found in cabins is virtual reality headsets. Considering the highly interactive nature of the technology the application may be limited. Immersive movies could be an incredible experience to provide passengers with on long flights. Although it could prove disruptive for those at nearby. There’s no denying the appeal and being able to provide headsets and a catalogue of content to passengers. The novelty alone will provide the airlines with an almost immediate return on investment. Long term – without the content to back it up – it’ll likely fizzle out. Interiors Entertainment isn’t the only thing likely to take a big leap forward. New air filtration systems are being developed that will improve onboard air quality while suppressing airborne and surface viruses and bacteria. Although the technology Is currently targeted at the first and business class customers, as the cost of the technology decreases, we can expect to see this technology deployed across the entire plane. The benefit to the cabin crew is significant as it will also filter allergens and pollutants, improving the working environment. In line with the wellness and holistic approach to air travel, one of the big ideas is to create a social zone like the kind seen with high-end first-class areas. Intended for long haul flights, the idea is to have an area the passengers can go to while stretching their legs. Areas to chat, a counter to buy food and drinks from, sofas to sit and chat. The only issue we foresee is that the areas won’t be big enough which will either result in an awkward rotation or many passengers not bothering because they don’t want to be crowded or rushed. Airlines will have to weigh up the value of operating these ‘wellness’ spaces verses the number of seats that they may have to sacrifice. However, if planes are taking off with empty seats regardless, then the areas may well provide greater value and residual sales from – essentially – wasted space. One solution may be the award-winning design devised in collaboration with Adient Aerospace. The concept devised by Sahngseok Lee interweaves the classes with an innovative two-layer approach. This maximises space while still providing business and first-class passengers the level of privacy they are used to. It’s a brave design and anyone’s guess if it will become a reality. However, these kind of ‘stacked’ designs are becoming increasingly common and may hold the answer to the airlines’ challenges of keeping costs down and flights full. The next few years will see some big changes, starting with wide adoption of WIFI and the associated services. From there we expect other inflight entertainment and seats to be upgraded in line with growing expectations. The speed of adoption will be dictated by demand and wider market forces. But the fact that manufacturers are developing these ideas suggests that the market is there. The challenge for the airline is knowing which innovations will make the biggest impact for the greatest return. We work is some of the best and the brightest in the aerospace industry, helping them find top engineering and technical talent. If you’re look for a new role register your details with us today. Or if you’d like support filling a requirement, contact us and we’d be happy to help.
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Half of all Cyber Breaches due to Human Error
It seems staggering – considering the ubiquity of technology – that human error is the biggest cause of cyber breaches. Ignorance to cyber threats are increasingly being consigned to the parts of society who are less likely to be aware of threats. Specifically, the over 70s and children. This is either because they didn’t grow up with technology or their interaction with technology is usually in a controlled environment. In the interests of fairness, the proportion of breaches due to human error varies depending on which report you read. Some claim it’s as low as 25%, others 52%. In the US it’s believed to be the biggest single cause of cyber security breaches. Although with 38% of attacks targeted at the US (compared to second place India’s 17%) it’s not entirely surprising. Be it 25% or 52% or some number in between, the fact remains that users are putting their data and that of their businesses at risk due to lackadaisical security practices or a general lack of knowledge in the first place. Even though the UK doesn’t come close to the top 10 most targeted countries for cyber-attacks, does not mean – by any measure – we are magically immune. If anything, it has given us a false sense of security with the UK consistently underspending despite the steady increase in attacks. Lack of training is usually the leading cause of all human errors so why do only 42% of businesses (according to Osterman Research) provide adequate training for their staff? Phishing Attacks Phishing attacks have been around for decades and – despite every attempt – email providers still let the odd one or two slip through the net. Admittedly, the emails (and now messages) have grown more sophisticated. Phishing scams have evolved from ropey plain text emails asking users to click on obviously shady links. Now they mirror wording, branding and formatting of the company the hackers are attempting to mimic. All to capture login information from users. There are usually still tell-tale signs but to the ill informed or unwary it’s easy for a wayward click to occur. In short, the criminals are getting smarter and users – quite simply – aren’t. Of the 93% of social engineering related breaches 96% of them happen via email. When you consider that only 4% of users will click on an attachment whether it looks suspicious or not, there is a serious education issue. Especially in the workplace. Mistakes in the workplace are significantly greater in organisations that only warn employees to the dangers of phishing attacks when they join the organisation. Rather than making it an on going issue to be aware of. Moreover many – if not most – of us receive dozens of emails a day from suppliers, clients or companies who want to be a supplier or client. That means a host of emails, of which look different and none of which look necessarily suspicious. If a hacker were to identify who your business deals with, they have a strong line of attack as they can tailor those phishing emails accordingly. If employees aren’t given regular refresher courses in online safety, it would be all too easy for them to open an email they shouldn’t or click on a malicious attachment. Poor User Practices Although this may seem like an exceedingly broad church, day to day bad practice can lead individual computers vulnerable to attacks, thus exposing the wider network. Updates are an inconvenience because it usually requires you to close your browser or – even worse – restart your computer. Costing you valuable seconds or minutes of your day. However, closing your browser and allowing your PC to install operating system and virus protection updates helps maintain security. Yes, closing your twenty tabs is an irritation and you don’t want to bookmark pages you’re only using for a couple of days. But it’s considerably less effort than learning you were the cause of a data breach that shuttered the company. Similarly, a high proportion of users reuse passwords across multiple accounts meaning if a hacker cracks one then they can gain access to multiple accounts. Other bad habits are using simple passwords or not changing passwords every two or three months. It’s important to note – however – that the average user isn’t the only one responsible for data breaches. Poorly managed high privilege accounts – such as admins – can leave networking vulnerable. Research suggests that 38% of admins change their passwords once a quarter, the other 62% change them less frequently than that. IT managers, heads of IT and equivalent are targets for attacks so when they fail to follow their own advice, they are putting the entire organisation at risk. This is the metaphorical equivalent of giving the keys to kingdom to someone prone to falling asleep on duty. Unauthorised Usage A laptop and a company smartphone are common perks for a lot of organisations around the world. It allows employees to maintain contact and productivity wherever they are. Which is especially useful if a dependent is unwell or they need to be away from the office for a few days due to a business trip. Most of the time this is fine. They are an authorised member of the team who knows how to handle that technology responsibly and appropriately in order to safeguard the network. And protect the brand. However, 55% of employees admit to allowing friends and family access to their company devices for personal use. This may seem perfectly harmless but don’t forget – that device is a gateway to your organisation’s IT infrastructure. It can access company records, some of which may be sensitive or even classified in nature. Documents could include bank details or other business critical information that could – in the wrong hands – wreak havoc. Those aren’t the only risks. Considering how susceptible the average user is to phishing scams and the like, there is every chance they could unwittingly open a malicious attachment. Or download malware. The best-case scenario is you notice and it’s only your device that is affected. Worst-case you take your device to work, connect it to the network and kill everything. As malicious software is designed to work very quickly it really doesn’t take long to bring an organisation to its knees. Ransomware can not only stop a company from operating but can cost the business a fortune whether it’s paying the ransom or rebuilding their entire IT infrastructure. Neither option is terribly appealing. Although it may seem extreme or heavy handed for organisations to limit who can and cannot use their technology, the current environment makes it essential. Cyber-attacks are on the rise and businesses big and small are scrambling to protect themselves. By limiting the number of people who can access that technology to employees only then they are closing off potential weaknesses in their defences. Whether human errors account for a quarter, or half or all cyber-attacks the result is the same. Moreover, attacks are on the rise, so either way, more and more businesses are going to be hurt by poor internal process and practices. This only changes with attitude, budget and rapid implementation. Otherwise entirely avoidable breaches will continue to get worse and continue to cost the global economy billions. KDC Resource are experts in technical and engineering recruitment, with a dedicated team in the Cyber Security space. If you’re looking for your next role, register your CV here. Alternatively, if you are looking for top cyber talent, then get in touch and we’ll arrange a time to discuss your requirements.
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How to Prepare Effectively for an Interview
In the modern business world Interviews take many forms and can consist of multiple stages. Phone, Skype, Zoom and even FaceTime (other video calling services are available) are all becoming widely accepted approaches to first – and sometimes second – stage interviews. Especially if the employer and candidate are far enough apart that travelling would be impractical. Indeed, for a first stage interview, these approaches help businesses and candidates to discount one another early on without considerable investment by either side. Regardless of the method, for a candidate preparation is key to a successful interview be it first stage or final stage. It doesn’t matter how qualified or experienced you are, if you don’t come across well then chances are, you’ll get rejected. This may seem a little unfair as not everyone makes a great first impression or is an extrovert. There are some that question the validity of interviews for this very reason. Any hiring manager you care to ask will have at least one story of how they let a great candidate slip through their fingers because they didn’t interview well. But short of a radical shift in hiring best practices you – the candidate – are stuck. Therefore, preparation is everything. Especially if you struggle with anxiety or are naturally introverted. Cover the Basics Most articles about this kind of thing extoll the benefits of researching the company, reading the job description and dressing appropriately. This is the absolute minimum you should be doing. The employer expects you to turn up looking smart and having researched the job you’ve applied for. Anything less is a little insulting and you’re doing yourself a disservice. Similarly, it’s etiquette to arrive in plenty of time for the interview. If you’re running late or if there’s a hold-up, let your recruiter know as soon as you become aware. Delays happen and are sometimes unavoidable. An incident on the road, a delayed flight or an unwell partner or dependent – as examples – are all well outside your sphere of influence. Letting us know rather than trying to achieve the impossible and failing is the better option. Don’t forget, we’re here to help you get the job and it’s much easier for us to smooth any ruffled feathers caused because we manage the relationship. If you really want to make an impression you need to have your research nailed. That means reading the website thoroughly. Not just skimming the About Us page. This company could be your employer, so you need to make sure that they’re culture, ethics and direction matches your own career and life aspirations. It doesn’t matter how great the opportunity is, if the company doesn’t seem like the right fit, you’re far better to establish that before you get too far down the process. But – if the organisation does match your values and you do feel you’d be a good cultural fit then you’ll go into the interview with the level of enthusiasm that the average candidate simple won’t match. Once you’ve finished that you need to start on industry research. What innovations are happening in the space? Who are their main competitors? What are their competitors doing that may give them an edge? Research may seem arduous and irrelevant but be under no illusion – most companies care as much about you being a good fit as your ability to do the job. Knowing exactly who you could be working for is a big part of that. Revise…yourself Interviews are an inexact way for a company to get a measure of a potential employee. That means they need to know if you can do the job just by having a few relatively short conversations with you. The problem is they can only base your competence on your CV and what you tell. Make sure you have thoroughly revised your employment history. It’s not uncommon for a potential employer to ask you to recite your employment history. There could be a few reasons for this (one being they can’t remember your CV after a day of interviews), but you need to be able to talk them through it. Including why you left positions or why there was a gap in your employment history. No one will begrudge you spending 6 months travelling the world, they just need to know. More importantly you should be able to recall and explain in detail a number of examples where you have made a real impact. It can be a specific project, hitting targets, directly contributing to business growth or profit. Equally – what didn’t go so well? What was a learning experience for you? How did that make you a better leader or team member? Whatever it is you need to be able to speak with confidence about each of your examples. And draw on more information if the interviewer has questions. This is your chance to show your future employer your best self. The person who gets things done and delivers results. Because you are that person. Or you wouldn’t be at the interview stage. But go deeper than that. Think about how these examples could translate to your potential new role. Whether it’s leading a team, smashing your targets or solving a technical challenge – consider how this will make you an effective team member. Finally, don’t be afraid to make notes to refer to. The same goes for any research you carry out regarding the business. It won’t count against you. Quite the opposite, as it will demonstrate your commitment. Communication is Key You don’t need to be an extrovert to succeed at interviews, you just need to get the basics of communication right. For one thing, most communication (in the range of 90%) is non-verbal. So making eye contact, smiling, sitting up straight and avoiding things like crossing your arms all help to present a friendlier image. Although it may seem harsh to be penalised for not doing these things, but humans are a social species and we unconsciously pick up on these things. Like it or not these are social norms and if you consider yourself a little awkward on that front then it’s something you’ll need to practice. If you have a learning disability or mental health issue that makes this a challenge for you, let us know and we can manage the interviewer’s expectations. Remember, you can’t be discriminated against on those grounds so it’s far better to be honest about it. If you are concerned that you will struggle it may be worth running through some mock interviews with someone you can trust so you can feel comfortable being asked questions and practising eye contact etc. Keep your trust notebook handy so you can write down questions. It’s easy to lose your train of thought when you’re nervous or if you’re prone to going off at a tangent. Writing the question down will help to solidify it in your mind making it far less likely you’ll forget it. And if you do…you have it to refer to. This will make you more confident when answering and likely result in a better answer. Remember – you’re there because the business sees something in you. They want you as part of their team. Enjoy that idea (without being arrogant or complacent) and enjoy the opportunity meeting with these people represents. You never know, it could be life changing. After the interview, follow up as soon as possible with your recruiter. Let them know how it went – what was good, what could have gone better. Also let them know what your thoughts are around whether you’d take the job. Strong commitment from you only helps your chances or success. No one wants to hire the lukewarm candidate who will treat it like ‘just another job’. Depending on where you are in the world it is etiquette to send a thank you note. It doesn’t need to be poetry, just an (ideally) handwritten note thanking your interviewer for their time and it was nice meet them. If the country you’re potentially working in has a strong culture for this, they will be keeping track of who sends a note and who doesn’t. Equally, if – like in the UK – the practice isn’t established doing something like this distinguishes you from other candidates. Note this only really applies if you’ve had a face to face interview. If – dude to distance – you won’t have a physical face to face interview, then do your best to send an email to the same effect. It makes all the difference. Whatever the role the important thing is that you have a recruiter you can trust to advocate on your behalf and keep you in the loop as you progress. KDC Resource are a leading engineering and technical recruiter operating in the aerospace, defence, space, emerging and disruptive technology and cyber security markets. If you’re looking for a new role register your details. Or, if you have a requirement that needs to be filled, get in touch and a member of the team will be happy to help.
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Moonlandings and Slipping the Surly Bonds of Earth
NASA has just announced they need at least $1.6 billion in additional funding in order to meet the 2024 deadline of sending another manned mission to the moon. Dubbed Artemis the programme, was originally slated for a 2028 landing as part of the Space Policy Director 1, signed by President Trump in 2017. Artemis, incdentally is the Greek Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon. However, in March 2019 Vice President Pence announced that the timeline would be moved up to 2024. Although many claim the timetable shift was politically motivated, for NASA it presents a number of technical headaches. For one thing, NASA hates risk. Space travel is fraught with danger as the slightest mishap can cause everything from the mission being scrubbed to the death of the crew. Then there’s the launch. Despite their use of large, powerful rockets, NASA doesn’t like fire very much either. Fire is bad and goes to extraordinary lengths to make sure nothing gets hot, sparks or can burn in the first place. This takes time and money and chopping 4 years off the launch date puts scientists and engineers under a great deal of pressure. The Challenges The end of the Space Shuttle Programme effectively brought to a close NASA making its own hardware. Increasingly the space agency has relied on the Russians and private contractors like SpaceX to ferry personnel, equipment and hardware into space. NASA now have to deliver the Space Launch System in fraction of the time. The multibillion-dollar launcher has been in development since 2011 and has been plagued by setbacks and ballooning costs ever since. Pence’s address, in which he slashed the moon landing deadline, made it clear that the administration would no longer tolerate delays and partners would be shed if needs be. That’s bad news for Boeing. In order to meet the 2024 deadline, the SLS may have to be abandoned – or at least paused – in favour of using commercial rockets. Specifically, SpaceX’s Super Heavy. If NASA were to switch suppliers, it would be a heavy blow to Boeing’s reputation and likely their share prices. Not to mention the end of an 8-year gravy train that many saw as nothing more than an agency wide jobs programme. With the inaugural launch slated for 2018 and now looking more like 2020 it’s questionable whether or not Administrator Jim Bridenstine can continue to back the SLS. Especially considering the truncated time frame. Officially NASA remains confident the SLS can be delivered for 2024. But time pressures and the inherent risks associated with rushing anything to do with space travel may force NASA’s hand. Especially if SpaceX successfully launch their Super Heavy (formally the BFR) in 2020 as planned. Then they have to deliver Orion – the crew capsule that will ferry the astronauts into space. This too has been in development since 2004, when President George W Bush unveiled his Vision for Space Exploration. Built in partnership between Lockheed Martin and Airbus (and backed by the ESA) was originally intended to ferry crew and supplies to the ISS but has since had its operational remit widened to include the moon landing. Although now Amazon has thrown its hat into the ring with the Blue Origin lander that boasts capacity to carry 6.4 tonnes of supplies to the surface, it really could be anyone’s game at this point. Finally, the Gateway needs to be constructed. The Gateway is a secondary space station in orbit around the moon. It will serve as a staging ground for manned and unmanned missions to the lunar surface. It could also be a precursor to lunar colonisation. Regardless, it represents a way to reduce the cost and risks associated with landing objects on the moon. If successful it could also serve as an operational template for manned missions to Mars. But it doesn’t address one of the biggest challenges facing humanity’s ongoing endeavours in space exploration. Lift Off Since the very first attempts to turn us into a space faring species, we have relied on rocketry to get into space. Burning propellant to break free of both the atmosphere and gravity. Then there’s fuel on board the craft for the two-way trip which – if burned too quickly can prevent the success of the mission. And doom the crew to a very cold, unpleasant fate in the void. For the time being its unlikely we can do anything about launching craft or materials into space using a rocket. It’s hardly Star Trek but it works. With SpaceX achieving success with reusable rockets, the cost of launch can in theory decrease over time too. But what about once the module or craft is actually in space? Fuel capacity is low meaning that modules have to essentially line themselves up with their intended target, burn fuel and hope for the best. The margin for error is incredibly slight. In the case of sending a manned mission to the moon, it’s like throwing a dart and hitting the bullseye from the other side of the room. With your off hand. However, alternatives are in development that could make interstellar travel entirely more feasible, avoiding the need for fuel altogether beyond the fuel used by the Reaction Control Systems. The EM Drive The EM Drive was discovered by accident and uses no fuel whatsoever. It works by bouncing microwaves around a cone shape cavity. It defies laws of physics and recent test in Germany question the engine’s ability to function at all. However, if the engine does prove functional then it could represent a means to propel humans through the stars without the need for fuel. As the engine requires relatively little energy it could be powered by solar cells, making space travel incredibly efficient. Currently the future of the EM Drive is in doubt as the recent tests suggest that the thrust created by the drive is being caused by the Earths’ electromagnetic field. Critics claim that the tests weren’t through enough as the outputs tried were so low that interference would have drowned out any positive results. Moreover, without a mu metal shield it’s impossible to determine if the Earth’s electromagnetic field is responsible. The LightSail 2 The idea of solar sails has been toyed with by science fiction writers for years. Star Wars and Star Trek have both depicted craft that harness photons in order to propel ships through space. While light has no mass, it has momentum which can be passed on to other objects. The solar sail effectively captures the light and with it the momentum, driving the ship forward. Again, solar sails to don’t require fuel of any kind. Just a big enough to catch enough rays to push the craft forward. The LightSail 2 built by The Planetary Society will launch in June 2019. The cubesat will deploy its sail – roughly the size of a boxing ring - and attempt to orbit the Earth using nothing but harnessed light particles. If success it’ll be a historic moment and could provide NASA and other organisations, they answer to the long-standing challenge of how to travel the vast distances of space without – effectively – bringing a fuel truck along for the ride. Whether the EM Drive or the LightSail 2 works is almost incidental. The concepts highlight the need and the desire to devise a means of propulsion that doesn’t require carrying vast amounts of fuel. Or requires fire or radiation. We’re still a long way off impulse engines, warp drive or hyperspace but it’s a step in the right direction towards sustain space flight. Which opens huge potential in terms of exploring our solar system and beyond. KDC Resource are expert recruiters for technical and engineering talent for the space sector. If you’re looking for your next opportunity, then register your details. Or if you’d like to work with us on your requirements, get in touch today and a member of the team will help.
