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Space Station

Why we should not live in the past with the space race

About the author

Richard is a science journalist and presenter of the Space Boffins podcast. He edits Space:UK magazine for the UK Space Agency, commentates on launches for the European Space Agency and is a science presenter for BBC radio. You can also follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

 

 

Space Tourism

2012 should see the flight of the first space tourists. It is easy to be dismissive – not to mention jealous – of space tourism ventures. Very easy. Nevertheless, the opening up of space to mere mortals rather than superhumans with ‘The Right Stuff’ (copyright every space agency) is incredibly exciting. It marks the beginning of a whole new space industry. And that’s got to be good for space enthusiasts and the future of space exploration.

All this is happening right now. These ventures may not have the grandeur of Apollo but they have a breadth and depth that the early space programmes never had.

So embrace your inner geek. But while you’re eulogising over those old Shuttle videos on YouTube, or watching the latest Star Trek movie for the tenth time, think about what is going on now. You will be surprised at what you find here.

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