UK human space flight;potential missions and

access to space

Nick Spall - March 2008

Human space exploration

‘My view is that if you do not make a manned vehicle and have a man ride in it… what use is it to human experience?’

Scott Crossfield – test pilot and astronaut

Education inspiration

Proposed ELIPS activity and ISS access

• Join European ELIPS group for ISS microgravity studies. Plan for public and private funding. A “UK Microgravity Research Agency”.

• Form a modest UK astronaut corps of 3 scientists / educators, fly 2 separately to the ISS via Soyuz spacecraft from 2011; cost about £50 million over 5 years

• Conduct two 10 day science / education led missions, medical/bioscience and physics topics.

• Education outreach – astronaut / schools involvement , plus new new post-grad and doctorate postions built-in.

BIS campaign activities

• Select Ctte. representations 2007 – removal of “in principle ban” recommended

• SEWG report 2007 – BIS precursor ISS missions recommended

• “UK Space Strategy 2008-12” input ; HSF science cost/benefit studies now agreed for 2008

• Continues to lobby Space Minister, government and MPs – Ian Pearson / John Denham.

• BIS campaign – public can join, together with educators, scientists and industry (EADS welcomed SEWG)

• Change policy and establish Britons in space – in time for 2008 Glasgow “International Astronautical Congress” (IAC)?

www.bis-spaceflight.com

New UK Space Strategy, 2008-12

• Takes note of the Sept. 2007 Space Exploration Working Group (SEWG) recommendations – considered need to join in both the robotic and manned exploration of the Solar System…danger of missng out.

• ISS “precursor missions recommended by SEWG , 2010-15

• “Global Exploration Strategy” (2006) – crucial influence.

• Studies of costs/science benefits of UKHSF “in the next 6-12 months”

The European astronaut corps (2004)

Routes into space

• US and Russia need citizenship – current NASA 2007 applications open until summer 2008.

• ESA - possible for UK – advert announcement April 2008…4 new places, selection for 2009.

• Private: Virgin SS2 £100k, post 2009. Starchaser “ballistic” trips , post 2010?

• Space Adventures – currently £15m, post 2009 (add £5m for EVA). £60m for lunar slingshot one day?.

HSF selection - physical requirements

• Academic – 2 degrees / Masters or Doctorate in science/engineering/medecine/ teaching/planetary sciences.

• Fitness tests – swim 3 lengths 25m , 3 clothed.

• SCUBA experience or some piloting gives advantages .

• BP 140/90 max seated. No colour blindness. 20/20 vision (correctable).

• Age – 40 max. (ideal 27-37)

• “Right stuff” coolness, positive attitude, team player, fix-it interests, sense of humour!.

The perfect astronaut?

Future directions to go