Taking over as editor is certainly an exciting opportunity for me, personally. But, as I look around UK industry, it’s very apparent it’s an exciting time to be an engineer. There are so many challenges and changes happening – from Industry 4.0’s implementation to the development of cleaner energy to the rollout of autonomous vehicles to the very future of engineering design.
For many, 2020 has come to represent a mental deadline, where a paradigm shift in technology capability and its active application is due to happen in a big way. So, just three years out, can we expect flying cars and space tourism anytime soon? Well, actually, yes.
On the cover of this month's Eureka! Magazine, we look at the rapidly developing world of commercial space and the plans for an operational spaceport here in the UK. Yes, you heard me right. The plans are real, if rather ambitious, and they target a first launch as soon as 2020.
It’s the fact the UK Government is seriously enthusiastic about buying in to commercial spaceflight that is, frankly, remarkable, but absolutely welcome, encouraged and applauded at the same time. It’s clear commercial space is finally coming of age and its continuing deployment is inevitable. Oh, and Airbus launched a flying car last month that actually looks viable... more on that on here.
It all couldn’t come at a more exciting, or petrifying, time; depending on your political standings. But, one thing is for certain, there is no shortage of innovation, or inspiration, around the UK at the moment, and Eureka! looks forward to bringing you the very best of it on the web and in print.