RAeS Space Group main index

Contents

Welcome to the Space Group click..

Who we are click..

What's on in 2008 click..

Email the Space Group at space@aerosociety.com

Return to the Moon - Have Your Say click..

ESA European Astronaut Selection click..

Mission Virgin Galactic click..

Our main diary of RAeS and other space-related events during 2008 is here..

FREE: Subscribe to our free email notification service to receive occasional details of future Space Group and other UK space-related events. Send a blank email to space@aerosociety.com with "subscribe" in the subject. (09 November 2008: See copy of most recent email here..)
Win a flight on SpaceShipTwo: a truly unforgettable experience Through the generosity of Virgin Galactic, the Royal Aeronautical Society is delighted to offer our members the opportunity to win a ticket on SpaceShipTwo. Your chance to experience weightlessness and gain your Astronaut Wings. The winner will be the one who can most effectively demonstrate how they would use the experience of a SpaceShipTwo flight to best motivate young people to enter the world of aerospace. Register your interest online at www.aerosociety.com/galactic/. You do not have to be a member to do so, but this will ensure you receive competition details early.
Join the Royal Aeronautical Society click..
Next Space Group events
Wednesday 12 November at RAeS, London "Europe's Role in the International Space Station". Evening lecture by Jean-François Clervoy, ESA Astronaut, European Space Agency. Organised by the RAeS Space Group. Refreshments: 18:00, start 18:30. Details: See full lecture details here..
Return to the Moon - Have Your Say
"Return to the Moon - A UK Perspective" Discussion Paper. The RAeS Space Group committee welcomes your comments on the issues raised in this new discussion paper and the recommendations made. An open forum is also being considered for the autumn, and your opinions will help inform debate at that forum. Send your comments to space@aerosociety.com preferably by 31 May 2008. Background to discussion paper here.. Read the discussion paper here..
Other
To obtain and receive space-related teaching materials for schools, teachers, etc: see British National Space Centre (BNSC) www.bnsc.gov.uk European Space Agency (ESA) www.esa.int
ESA to recruit new European astronauts. The ESA selection of eight new astronauts will kick-off on Monday 19 May 2008. Registration takes place online. The application website will be made available from 19 May 2008. The closing date for applications is 15 June 2008. Applicants must be able to speak and write English. The preferred age range is 27 to 37. An effort is made to achieve, in the long run, a corps with astronauts from all ESA Member States. For further details, see http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMPQG3XQEF_index_0.html ESA European Astronaut Selection www.esa.int/astronautselection/
ESA May Face British Astronaut Quandary. See http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080430-sn-esa-astronaut.html
High hopes: What makes a person willing to climb inside a huge rocket and wait for someone to light the fuse? Ian Sample meets six Britons. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/jun/13/spaceexploration.starsgalaxiesandplanets
Mission Virgin Galactic - National Schools Competition. The Royal Aeronautical Society, The Royal Air Force and Virgin Galactic launch "Mission Virgin Galactic" - the UK's first out of this world National Schools Competition. Schools wishing to enter must register via the www.missionvirgingalactic.com web site no later than 12 December 2008. More details here click..
From Satellites to Space Tourism Project, IET Kelvin Lecture 2008. Speaker: Robert Lainé, Chief Technical Officer, EADS Space. Organised by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Presentation given at Savoy Place, London, UK on 13 March 2008. Watch the lecture on Web TV: see http://tv.theiet.org/technology/transport/1227.cfm
US and UK pledge to work on new space exploration initiative. The UK and NASA signed an Agreement in April 2007 to cooperate on missions to the moon. For further details see http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=6306&hl=NASA agreement
"Tulips on the Moon". BBC Radio 4, Wednesday 30 January 2008. Richard Hollingham finds out what scientists here on Earth are doing to help plants survive in the harsh conditions of space. With plans for humans to revisit the Moon and reach Mars, it's not surprising that they'll want to take a little bit of our green, home planet with them. The idea of growing plants in space is becoming a reality. Plants can be used, not just as a source of food but as a life support system for the astronauts, but how can they survive in extremes of temperature, with little or no gravity, no soil, water or even, in the case of the Moon, no atmosphere? In "Tulips on the Moon" Richard Hollingham talks to the scientists who are working to put potatoes, tomatoes and even tulips on the Moon and Mars. BBC Listen Again. www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/pip/9rr54/ and www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/tulipsonthemoon.shtml
New book: "Spies in the Sky" by Pat Norris. The compelling story of how surveillance satellites prevented nuclear armageddon during the Cold War. "Spies in the Sky" is the new book by Pat Norris detailing the political impact of military surveillance satellites during the darkest days of the Cold War. Details: web www.spiesinthesky.com and www.pat-norris.com
BBC Radio 4: Friday 09 November 2007 11:00-11:30 (Radio 4 FM). "The Astronauts' Wives Club". At the height of the Apollo Space programme of the 1960s, many air force and navy pilots considered that their selection as astronauts was largely based upon the success of their marriage. But being the wife of an astronaut was often a fraught and lonely affair. We hear the untold stories of those women who were left behind. BBC Listen Again http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/astronauts_wivesclub
Flight International relaunches its now fully searchable archives, with news and features that date back to 1909. See www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/index.html
"Humans in Space - UK policy" Discussion Paper. Thank you to those who contributed to our debate on "Humans in Space - UK policy". The Space Group discussion paper and ensuing feedback from members have contributed to a debate that has helped to inform UK policy on human spaceflight throughout the spring and summer of 2006. Details of the debate can be found here..
New book: "A Life in Space" by Tim Furniss. Spaceport Publishing. A personal history of the space age 1957-2007. See www.spaceport.co.uk or contact Tim Furniss email tim@spaceport.co.uk tel (+44) (0)1237 477883.
"Global Navigation Satellite Systems" by Mr Pat Norris, Business Development Manager, LogicaCMG. Paper presented at the "European Air Traffic Management - the Challenge of Growth" conference organised by the RAeS on 30 May 2006. click for more.. (PDF 1.2 MB)
Space Future: This site is for everyone who wants to go to space. Learn about Space Tourism, see some of the proposed space vehicles, find out about the legal, medical and environmental aspects. Visit the archive of papers and publications and browse for current news and features. See www.spacefuture.com
BBC: Life on the International Space Station. Maggie Philbin interviews ESA astronaut Roberto Vitorri. See www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/spacechat/livechat/roberto_vittori.shtml
RAS: "Report of the Commission on the Scientific Case for Human Space Exploration". Royal Astronomical Society. See www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=847&Itemid=1
RIN: "Galileo, a UK industry success story". Article by Pat Norris. (pp7-9) (PDF 1.6 MB) click..
International Space Station. Dates for good viewing, eg London... Note: a pass is a good one if the magnitude column shows a negative number. Click on "change location" to get the correct times for your area. It is currently set to London.
RAeS: 4 Hamilton Place, London. For location map click..

FREE: Subscribe to our free email notification service to receive occasional details of future Space Group and other UK space-related events. Send a blank email to space@aerosociety.com with "subscribe" in the subject. (09 November 2008: See copy of most recent email here..)

Win a flight on SpaceShipTwo: a truly unforgettable experience
Through the generosity of Virgin Galactic, the Royal Aeronautical Society is delighted to offer our members the opportunity to win a ticket on SpaceShipTwo. Your chance to experience weightlessness and gain your Astronaut Wings. The winner will be the one who can most effectively demonstrate how they would use the experience of a SpaceShipTwo flight to best motivate young people to enter the world of aerospace. Register your interest online at www.aerosociety.com/galactic/. You do not have to be a member to do so, but this will ensure you receive competition details early.

Join the Royal Aeronautical Society click..

Next Space Group events

Wednesday 12 November at RAeS, London "Europe's Role in the International Space Station". Evening lecture by Jean-François Clervoy, ESA Astronaut, European Space Agency. Organised by the RAeS Space Group. Refreshments: 18:00, start 18:30.

Details: See full lecture details here..

Return to the Moon - Have Your Say

"Return to the Moon - A UK Perspective" Discussion Paper. The RAeS Space Group committee welcomes your comments on the issues raised in this new discussion paper and the recommendations made. An open forum is also being considered for the autumn, and your opinions will help inform debate at that forum. Send your comments to space@aerosociety.com preferably by 31 May 2008. Background to discussion paper here.. Read the discussion paper here..

Other

To obtain and receive space-related teaching materials for schools, teachers, etc: see British National Space Centre (BNSC) www.bnsc.gov.uk European Space Agency (ESA) www.esa.int

ESA to recruit new European astronauts. The ESA selection of eight new astronauts will kick-off on Monday 19 May 2008. Registration takes place online. The application website will be made available from 19 May 2008. The closing date for applications is 15 June 2008. Applicants must be able to speak and write English. The preferred age range is 27 to 37. An effort is made to achieve, in the long run, a corps with astronauts from all ESA Member States.

For further details, see http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMPQG3XQEF_index_0.html ESA European Astronaut Selection www.esa.int/astronautselection/

ESA May Face British Astronaut Quandary. See http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080430-sn-esa-astronaut.html

High hopes: What makes a person willing to climb inside a huge rocket and wait for someone to light the fuse? Ian Sample meets six Britons. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/jun/13/spaceexploration.starsgalaxiesandplanets

Mission Virgin Galactic - National Schools Competition. The Royal Aeronautical Society, The Royal Air Force and Virgin Galactic launch "Mission Virgin Galactic" - the UK's first out of this world National Schools Competition. Schools wishing to enter must register via the www.missionvirgingalactic.com web site no later than 12 December 2008.

More details here click..

From Satellites to Space Tourism Project, IET Kelvin Lecture 2008. Speaker: Robert Lainé, Chief Technical Officer, EADS Space. Organised by The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Presentation given at Savoy Place, London, UK on 13 March 2008. Watch the lecture on Web TV: see http://tv.theiet.org/technology/transport/1227.cfm

US and UK pledge to work on new space exploration initiative. The UK and NASA signed an Agreement in April 2007 to cooperate on missions to the moon. For further details see http://www.bnsc.gov.uk/content.aspx?nid=6306&hl=NASA agreement

"Tulips on the Moon". BBC Radio 4, Wednesday 30 January 2008. Richard Hollingham finds out what scientists here on Earth are doing to help plants survive in the harsh conditions of space. With plans for humans to revisit the Moon and reach Mars, it's not surprising that they'll want to take a little bit of our green, home planet with them. The idea of growing plants in space is becoming a reality. Plants can be used, not just as a source of food but as a life support system for the astronauts, but how can they survive in extremes of temperature, with little or no gravity, no soil, water or even, in the case of the Moon, no atmosphere? In "Tulips on the Moon" Richard Hollingham talks to the scientists who are working to put potatoes, tomatoes and even tulips on the Moon and Mars.

BBC Listen Again. www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/pip/9rr54/ and www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/tulipsonthemoon.shtml

New book: "Spies in the Sky" by Pat Norris. The compelling story of how surveillance satellites prevented nuclear armageddon during the Cold War. "Spies in the Sky" is the new book by Pat Norris detailing the political impact of military surveillance satellites during the darkest days of the Cold War.

Details: web www.spiesinthesky.com and www.pat-norris.com

BBC Radio 4: Friday 09 November 2007 11:00-11:30 (Radio 4 FM). "The Astronauts' Wives Club". At the height of the Apollo Space programme of the 1960s, many air force and navy pilots considered that their selection as astronauts was largely based upon the success of their marriage. But being the wife of an astronaut was often a fraught and lonely affair. We hear the untold stories of those women who were left behind.

BBC Listen Again http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/astronauts_wivesclub

Flight International relaunches its now fully searchable archives, with news and features that date back to 1909. See www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/index.html

"Humans in Space - UK policy" Discussion Paper. Thank you to those who contributed to our debate on "Humans in Space - UK policy". The Space Group discussion paper and ensuing feedback from members have contributed to a debate that has helped to inform UK policy on human spaceflight throughout the spring and summer of 2006. Details of the debate can be found here..

New book: "A Life in Space" by Tim Furniss. Spaceport Publishing. A personal history of the space age 1957-2007. See www.spaceport.co.uk or contact Tim Furniss email tim@spaceport.co.uk tel (+44) (0)1237 477883.

"Global Navigation Satellite Systems" by Mr Pat Norris, Business Development Manager, LogicaCMG. Paper presented at the "European Air Traffic Management - the Challenge of Growth" conference organised by the RAeS on 30 May 2006.

click for more.. (PDF 1.2 MB)

Space Future: This site is for everyone who wants to go to space. Learn about Space Tourism, see some of the proposed space vehicles, find out about the legal, medical and environmental aspects. Visit the archive of papers and publications and browse for current news and features. See www.spacefuture.com

BBC: Life on the International Space Station. Maggie Philbin interviews ESA astronaut Roberto Vitorri. See www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/spacechat/livechat/roberto_vittori.shtml

RAS: "Report of the Commission on the Scientific Case for Human Space Exploration". Royal Astronomical Society. See www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=847&Itemid=1

RIN: "Galileo, a UK industry success story". Article by Pat Norris. (pp7-9) (PDF 1.6 MB) click..

International Space Station. Dates for good viewing, eg London... Note: a pass is a good one if the magnitude column shows a negative number. Click on "change location" to get the correct times for your area. It is currently set to London.

RAeS: 4 Hamilton Place, London. For location map click..

Page last updated 09 November 2008