Flying Bum: The Name Says it All

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a Flying Bum! Okay, it's a crashing Bum in what was only the second maiden flight of this canceled US DOD airship later revived by Hybrid Air Vehicles and a grant from the United Kingdom.

Officially called the Airland 10, the part-dirigible hit a telegraph pole in England earlier today and crash landed. Even the Wright Brothers had a rocky start, but this aircraft is not so new. 

While America aims for Mars, Great Britain aims for a level (pole-free) cow pasture.

The UK and ESA

You may be wondering if the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union (EU) dooms its involvement with the European Space Agency (ESA).  According to Space News, the answer is no.

First, the ESA is not an EU organization. And second, other non-EU countries are already members, including Norway and Switzerland. 

So whatever you think of the recent British vote, it should not hamper the country's space efforts.