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Daniel Innes

    • About Me:

      I am a rocket scientist! I do lots of running and play badminton too. I’m a friendly guy and happy to answer any questions. I have a wife and two kids, and lots of animals, and love listening to country music – yee haw! 🙂

    • Read more

      If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m never sitting still! When I’m not doing my day job or travelling for my day job, I’m usually racing off to some sport, hobby, or adventure.

      I’m a big badminton fan and I train hard three times a week. I’ve played in lots of competitions and even played for Scotland in all four nations, which was an amazing achievement. I also love running — I run four times a week and I’ve taken part in loads of races and marathons. Right now, I’m training for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, so you’ll probably find me out on a long run somewhere!

      I have 2 cats, millipedes, a snake, a tortoise, beetles, and 2 chickens! I love animals and Steve Irwin used to be my idol!

      I’m also really into model rockets and drones. I’m a drone pilot and qualified rocket launcher so when I get the chance, I build them and fly!

      I also enjoy doing STEM and outreach, because I love helping young people get curious about science and maths. I do lots of space outreach too so let me know if you need any information about space, afterall my essay at university was the maths of black holes!!

      When I’m at home, I spend a lot of time playing football with my kids and I’m also a huge Hearts supporter. I’m a season-ticket holder and I go to the games with my son, which is one of my favourite things to do.

      Overall, I’m always busy, always doing something, and always excited to learn. If you’ve got questions about rockets, sport, space, or anything in between, I’m always happy to chat!

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him

    • How I use Science in my work:

      In my job, I help keep people safe during rocket launches — which is just as cool as it sounds! When rockets blast off, they create huge forces, heat, and noise, and also if they explode then they have massive fireballs, so we need to make sure everyone stays the right distance away. That’s where science comes in. I use my science and physics from school with my computer skills to work out safe “clear zones”. These zones show how far people need to stand back so they can watch rockets launch safely.

      There is also lots of different materials that can be used to make a rocket go – the science behind rocket fuel is very important!

    • My Work:

      I am a rocket engineer. I help make rocket launches and spaceports safe.

    • Read more

      I’m a Launch Systems Engineer, which means I help keep UK rocket launches safe. I’m a regulator, which is a fancy way of saying rocket and spaceport police! So I check safety documents and rocket applications from rocket companies and spaceports. I also help write the rules and guidance for launches, go to training sessions to learn more about rockets, and visit spaceports to do inspections and make sure everything is running safely.

    • My Typical Day:

      I wake up at 7.30am and have breakfast. I see to all the animals. I work from home. Deal with the kids. Have some training in the evening and try to get to bed by 12am.

    • Read more

      I wake up at 7.30am, have some breakfast, take my kids to school/nursery, start work from home and remember to take time out for lunch. Most of my day is taken up by phone calls with my peers. Often I might have to travel away from home for inspections or meetings. I pickup my kids up from school/nursery when I can, take them to their activities (badminton, rugby, dancing, swimming, etc) and then we have dinner as a family. I put the kids to bed and do my running or badminton training at night. I’ll relax after training and maybe watch a movie or look at the news, or some house DIY, then go to bed at my 12am curfew.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      £500 can go a long way. I would use this money to buy water rocket kits and equipment to be able to inspire more students on the world of rocketry and space!

    CV

    • Education:

      I went to Ross High School in Tranent, Scotland. Then The University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh and then Cranfield University near Milton Keynes in England.

    • Qualifications:

      In Scotland when I was at school we did things slightly different to exams to England (standard grades then highers and advanced highers as opposed to GCSE’s, nationals or A-Levels) but I have 12 standard grades, 4 highers (maths, physics, physical education, product design) and 3 advanced highers (graphic communication, maths and physics).

      I have a Bachelor’s degree in Maths from the University of Edinburgh. (2:1)

      I have a Master’s degree in Astronautics & Space Engineering from Cranfield University. (First class)

    • Work History:

      Before my current job, I worked as a Project Engineer for UK Launch Services, a company that helps people launch rockets or run spaceports (like airports, but for rockets!). I worked on lots of different tasks, such as making sure they were being built safe, helping organise launch operations, checking weather and airspace, and making sure everyone followed the right rules. I supported several UK spaceports, and I even got to build and launch my own small rockets. I also led UK Space Agency projects, did STEM outreach, and became a certified drone operator.

      In the past:

      • I have worked at Camp America in the USA.
      • I have worked as a bicycle engineer at Toys’R’Us
      • I learned at the Airbus Innovation Summer Academy
      • I was the co-founder of a physics company called TCT Aerospace
      • I worked in Next

    • Current Job:

      I am officially a launch systems engineer, which means I help keep UK rocket launches safe. I’m a regulator, which is a fancy way of saying rocket and spaceport police!

    • Employer:

      I work for the Civil Aviation Authority – not only do they regulate spaceports and rockets but this is the same organisation that regulates airports, aircraft, satellites, drones and much more!

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        I wanted to be a pilot originally but I did Maths as it opens so many career doors

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        Yes sometimes, usually for talking to my friends too much when I'm meant to be quiet! But getting in trouble sometimes is how we learn.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I would either want to be a professional athlete (running or badminton), or a zookeeper

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        I like oasis, and modern country music

        What's your favourite food?

        Probably crisps and dip. My healthy option would be avacado on toast

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Firstly, I'd love to be able to fly. I'd like to always be fit and healthy. Finally, to have a teleportation device that could take me anywhere in the Universe.

        Tell us a joke.

        It's not rocket science...