“What meaning is that there is nothing to cease the schoolkids in Great Britain at this time from being amongst the first women and men to set on foot on Mars sooner or later”.
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A Chichester schoolboy got the chance to meet his hero when he interviewed Major Tim Peake, the first British astronaut to go to the global Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts often describe the feeling of landing as feeling like a “car crash” because their bones and muscles have been weakened in space – so Major Peake said he will be exercising two hours every day to retain his strength and fitness while in space.
“You’re sat on top of 300 tonnes of fuel and you’re basically just going to be focused on the mission and what’s to come”.
“I am really excited to be here”, said Rufus, addressing Tim and the world’s media. Jo Johnson, minister for universities and science, noted a £1.5 million investment from the UK Space Agency into related educational activities such as free projects for schools.
“After a niche of 24 years since Helen Sharman flew to the Mir area station, the Union (Jack) flag goes to be flown and worn in area as soon as once more”, Peake informed reporters.
He believed there had been a decline in interest in the key industries from youngsters because of the UK’s lack of visible human space flight programs.
He added: “I left school at 18 and made a decision to become a pilot”. In that time, more than 200 people from 15 countries have visited.
“I’m about to achieve the greatest dream of my life”.
“Sometimes, your career takes you through various different paths and you’re not quite sure where you’re going to end up”.
The 43-year-old has said he hopes his mission next month will inspire a new generation of children to aim for the stars.
But unlike Col Hadfield, Mr Peake said he will not be performing any David Bowie covers.
He said: “I don’t think I’m at the stage where I’m prepared to unleash that on the worldwide audience”.
Peake said he was eager to share his experience with everyone who wants to get involved and said he will even be tweeting lyrics of his favourite rock songs to give music fans a chance to win a flown-in-space space rocks patch, if they correctly guess the artist.
Mr Peake also announced today he would become the latest ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.
Thomas Reiter, ESA Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations, said global cooperation was at the heart of the agency. Such research is important for understanding health on Earth, and in tandem with technical advances, will also help pave the way for future missions beyond lower Earth orbit.
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“Somewhere in Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast, London or Birmingham, there is a young boy or girl who will hopefully fulfil their dream like I am going to do”.
