The Royal Society, headed by the Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees, wants a national agency to champion the UK’s exploration and exploitation of space. This is a role partially fulfilled by the British National Space Centre. However, this body lacks the power and budget to implement national space strategy.
Rees told the BBC : “The UK has a great deal of expertise, but it is losing out as other national space agencies work harder for their industries and scientists.”
The government is currently reviewing space policy and the Royal Society’s comments will be taken on board, so to speak.
It’s a big couple of weeks for London and the final frontier. The Science Museum’s new-look space galleries open this Thursday, on the 45th anniversary of the UK’s first satellite launch. Look out for our special preview.
Meanwhile, at the BFI Imax, the Roving Mars documentary opens on 4 May (they’re missing a trick by not using ‘May the 4th be with you!’ in the advertising).
I went to the UK premiere yesterday and cannot recommend it highly enough. The launch and landing sequences, although largely computer generated, produced gasps from the audience.
Really enjoyed the ‘Roving Mars’ film on Friday night. It was a pity that it wasn’t longer though. For me, the ‘imaginary’ bits with the airbags bouncing on the Mars surface were the best, though I would have really liked to have seen more of the photographs taken by the rovers.
Yeah, it was fun. I was lucky enough to go to the press screening, where one of the rover scientists gave a lecture about recent highlights, including lots of photos.
PS, if you want to see all the latest images, I recommend these rover forums:
http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.php?s=ea3aa2e96670aa978935226ee8720b99&showforum=36