A Small Ion Propelled Spacecraft for Near Earth Experiments

It has become increasingly apparent that designers of today\u27s large and complex spacecraft are reluctant to adopt many new and innovative technologies due to the lack of in-orbit operational experience with these devices, a particular example being ion propulsion. The reasons for this are understandable but as a consequence many new ideas are caught in a \u27chicken and egg\u27 situation where they will not be flown until they have been and shown to work reliably. A study has been carried out in an attempt to provide a simple, low cost spacecraft that can be launched from almost any vehicle into any orbits that could subsequently be used as a testbed for small innovative ideas

Do lecturers delivering Higher Education in Further Education desire to conduct research?

This article considers the views and perceptions of lecturers delivering Higher Education Business Programmes (HEBPs) in Further Education Colleges (FECs) on whether they desire to undertake research, thus enabling them to both become, and be viewed as specialists in their subjects. The methodology employed was from an interpretivist perspective, with a view to understand how lecturers interpret research, and whether they see it as part of their role. Twenty-six in-depth interviews were conducted throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region in the United Kingdom (UK). Some of the key findings were that although some lecturers would like to undertake research to specialise in their subject area, they felt that they did not have neither the time, or support of their individual institution

Culture of He in FE - exclave or enclave?

This paper explores the concept of culture within Further Education Colleges (FECs) from the perceptions of 26 lecturers delivering Business Higher Education Programmes (BHEPs). It offers a brief overview of the history of both Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE) in England, and how they have evolved. This then will provide an understanding of the perceived/real differences between FE and HE culture, and whether these two cultures can merge together, or will become 'hybrids,' as suggested by Parry and Thompson. The study will in fact show that the culture of HE in FE (in England) is similar to that of an 'Exclave,' but is developing within this, a culture which might be viewed as an 'Enclave.