UK Space Consultation: Encouraging a greater response

[Adam Elkins]

Hello folks

A few weeks ago Lord Drayson, the UK's Minister for Science and Innovation, launched a consultation on the UK's civil space activities. I've noticed that there are some people who want to contribute but don't feel experienced or qualified enough to do so and I want to encourage them. I have written a few paragraphs drawing on Steve's recent series on networking with busy people along with a few other posts and some of my own learning. I'm content to post it more-or-less as it is but do any of you have any suggestions to improve it? Here is what I have:

This consultation is open to anyone in the UK to respond to no matter how experienced or qualified. This can mean anyone from big companies like SSTL, experienced professionals, little companies like Reaction Engines or Bristol Spaceplanes, 20-something-year-old students studying at university, to the humble lay person with no direct involvement but who still thinks Britain should do more in space.

Any kind of contribution is better than none. Even the simple statement “I think Britain should launch its own rockets” has some meaning. An independent launch capability represents ideas such as independence (we don’t have to keep borrowing other people’s rockets); ambition (we can do something that is difficult) and achievement (we did it despite it being difficult).

Don't start out with an apology or self-deprecating remark like “I don't know if this will help but...”. Your views are valid no matter how well expressed.

Start with your own interest in space. This will help you to be clear about what you want. Thinking about what you want to achieve will give you a much clearer idea of what you want than just generic ideas that you've heard somewhere else.

Think about what you want to gain from what you propose. As I’ve indicated above, a simple statement can represent all sorts of principles.

Don't worry about being too formal or trying to write a 2,000 word essay. Obviously the more thorough your response the better, but don't freak out about getting it perfect or trying to sound like you've been working for SSTL or Astrium for the past 16 years.

You'll probably notice where I've borrowed some of Steve's ideas (should I ask permission for this?). I think I've hit what I see as the main points but I want to invite some comments here before I post it off as there are some experienced people here who might spot something I've missed. What do you think?

Many thanks

Adam

[Brutha]

I had to read your post multiple time to get what you wanted to say.

Who's your audience and what do you want them to do? What's your role?