Skylon...Rani Price meets scientists developing Sabre,

Science presenter Rani Price interviews Dr Helen Webber & Simon feast of Reaction engines Ltd.

Simon Feast is a Technical Designer at Reaction Engines Ltd and has been working with them since late 2004. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Oxford Brookes University and is currently undertaking an MSc in Advanced Engineering Design. His main area of work at Reaction Engines is focused on the technology development of SABRE, an air-breathing rocket engine designed for use on the SKYLON spaceplane. He is currently carrying out research in compact heat exchanger design and manufacturing techniques and has worked on various projects within the company including the development of the B9 engine test facility, experimental rocket nozzles and future Space transportation studies.

Dr Helen Webber is a Technical Manager and Performance Engineer at Reaction Engines. She carried out her PhD in low speed wind tunnel aerodynamics and heat transfer studies, investigating the performance enhancement of compact heat exchangers for use in precooled air-breathing engines. Whilst at Reaction Engines, Helen has worked on the design of heat exchangers for test rig supply flows, the experimental measurement and performance analysis of Reaction Engines prototype precooler, and the investigation of precooler installation aerodynamics. She is currently running the Advanced Nozzle Program, an experimental program into new nozzle technologies for the Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE).

[sirhendro]

Rani Price has a really pleasant voice. It's British but it sound like there is a 1% Indian accent in there making it somewhat unique. I really like it.

[millamulisha]

The needed heat exchanger will likely be too heavy. Use a scram jet and better materials.

[robzombie]

I'm pretty sure it was alan bond that developed this technology and not that girl.

[TheDarren]

now their thinking out of this world! mankind needs this technology because I'm hoping to use it to be an alien lol

[EvitoCruor]

Real smart to push affirmative action in sciences that require the highest amounts of intelligence knowledge and motivation. Decade more and were screwed.

[dougm]

Exciting technology. Good luck to the developers. Is it possible for the BBC to ditch their tedious feminist agenda and just concentrate on the science for once?