2 minute read time.
The annual Sir Isaac Newton Lecture, aimed at 14 to 18-year-old students from schools and colleges across Lincolnshire, was held on Wednesday 19th October 2016 in Whittle Hall at RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire.


Around 400 students were captivated by Abbie Hutty of Airbus Defence and Space, in her presentation about the European Space Agency EXOMars Roving vehicle project. 


Entitled “a Martian survival story” Abbie discussed the history of man’s fascination with the Martian world, leading to her personal interest in this field stemming from the failed Beagle II mission in 2003.  Abbie continued to describe the challenges presented by simply getting equipment to Mars, the environmental conditions for any scientific mission to the red planet would have to endure, what the intended objectives of the EXOMars Mission 2020 is, and described in detail the challenges of designing, testing and deploying a roving vehicle to Mars.   


The day of the presentation coincided with the descent of the EXOMars 2016 mission, the Schiaparelli EDM lander, that afternoon.  As we now know, the lander didn’t survive the decent.  However, Abbie was full of optimism for both the 2016 and 2020 missions, and suggested that there was a varied and interesting career to be had in the field of space in the UK in the future.


There were enthusiastic and interesting questions from the audience after the presentation, followed by a vote of thanks and an opportunity to have photographs taken with the speaker.


Feedback received from attendees: 

‘Great as usual!’ N Gregory, Spalding High School

‘Excellent lecture again, looking forward to next year’ Sue Keen, Caistor Yarborough School.

‘Enabled students to see what is possible for future careers’ C Brewster, Caistor Yarborough School

‘Fantastic, pitched at a perfect level’ Jason Dungate, Priory City of Lincoln Academy


The Sir Isaac Newton Lecture is organised jointly by Lincolnshire members of the IMechE, the IET and the Royal Aeronautical Society, with support from RAF College Cranwell and schools’ liaison by The Education Business Partnership, Lincolnshire and Rutland’s STEM partner.  The event has been hosted at RAF College Cranwell since 1988 with the aim of increasing awareness and inspiring young people to further studies and ultimately a rewarding and exiting career in science and engineering.


Miss Abbie Hutty Airbus D&S            Speaker

Richard Gray                                      IMechE East Midlands Treasurer

Evanna Gale                                        Guest IET Education


Organising Committee:

Barrie Fitton FIMechE                 Chairman of Organising Committee 

Phil Hill MIET                               Lincolnshire Network

Flt Lt Dave Newton                      RAFC Cranwell

Paula Bailey                                EBP STEM Partner

Report submitted by Phil Hill