UK in Moon talks with Nasa

[dreada5]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6196310.stm<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>"We will be considering whether there is an opportunity to build a partnership with the US." <br /><br />His department said the UK already had strong links with the US in space science and exploration, as the launch of Nasa's Stereo mission in October had carried instruments built by British scientists. <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br />Cool! About time the UK took an interest in this new vision for space exploration. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[tohaki]

Considering that we are talking about a country that has shown little interest in manned spaceflight and doesn't even take part in the ESA launcher and manned space programmes I wouldn't count the chickens before they hatch.

 

[dreada5]

Yeah well, I think its more in the area of lunar space science / satellites than in manned spaceflight/exploration.<br /><br />UK does pretty well in terms of space science.

 

[scipt]

This is great news. I think we'll see greater participation in manned spaceflight from the UK in the coming years. We've had Piers Sellers and Nick Patrick both British born, flying this year (with NASA). I think it would be good to see more UK talent going up. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tohaki]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Yeah well, I think its more in the area of lunar space science / satellites than in manned spaceflight/exploration.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>That makes sense. It is already very common to include instruments from other agencies.<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>I think we'll see greater participation in manned spaceflight from the UK in the coming years.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>I would love for that to be true, but I doubt it.<br /><br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>We've had Piers Sellers and Nick Patrick both British born, flying this year (with NASA).<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>They create nice headlines for the British press, but it really has very little to do the UK.

 

[dreada5]

<quote>They create nice headlines for the British press, but it really has very little to do the UK. </quote><br /><br />I agree.<br />

 

[dreada5]

Interesting thing is that UK are always in this perculiar position of working with European nations (EU) and working with the US, both in terms of defense and the space. Whereas most other euro nations tend to stay within the confines of the EU.

 

[tohaki]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Interesting thing is that UK are always in this perculiar position of working with European nations (EU) and working with the US, both in terms of defense and the space. Whereas most other euro nations tend to stay within the confines of the EU.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote>I think that is more true with regards to defence than space.

 

[dreada5]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>I wonder if this statement has more to do with fast tracking them into that process, than with British astronauts, or prime contracts on missions?<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Pretty certain its not to do with british astronauts. But then that may beg the question aren't the best suppliers of scientific instruments in the US, isn't it cheaper to get them from home? <br /><br />Why has Dr Griffin shown interest in the UK?

 

[flynn]

Pinch of Salt time and yes it probably is more to do with lucrative contracts than anything else but hey, I'll take anything at this point.<br /><br />The UK isn't at all backward when it comes to using Space Science or for that matter building the instruments.<br /><br />Surrey Space are a world leader in microsatelites, BAE could well become more active in the sector and there are a number of private firms looking at space tourism. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#800080">"All God does is watch us and kill us when we get boring. We must never, ever be boring" - <strong>Chuck Palahniuk</strong>.</font> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

The fact that this is even being discussed is a most encouraging development for UK space policy. Especially as it is not an isolated even but part of a borader increase in official interest that includes greater involvement in Aurora.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[dreada5]

I think I've found what Dr Griffin was doing in London today. There is an interesting link at the bottom of the following page which leads to a website with a video link on it for his presentation.<br /><br />http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/dec/HQ_06360_Griffin_London.html <br /><br />http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk

 

[christine16]

good info

 

[cuddlyrocket]

Although the VSE is obviously a manned exploration program, they will be doing some science and that science will need instruments. I'm sure NASA would be pleased to have someone else pay for some of the instruments in return for access to the data (and some geological samples).