Posted: Fri, Oct 21, 2005, 11:49 AM ET (1549 GMT)
A report issued this week by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) recommends that the British government provide support for human spaceflight. The RAS report, written by a special commission created by the organization, concluded that the UK government reevaluate "its long-standing opposition to involvement in human space exploration." The UK has for years not participated in manned spaceflight initiatives by ESA and other organizations, including participation in the International Space Station. The RAS report said that human spaceflight programs should be directed towards the scientific exploration of the Moon and Mars, and that there "appear to be no fundamental technological barriers" for human missions to those destinations. Such a program would cost the UK no more than £150 million (US$265 million) over 20 to 25 years. Otherwise, the report concluded, the UK could "look increasingly isolated" as other nations embark on manned spaceflight initiatives.

Related Links:

•  The Times of London article
•  The Scientist article
•  The Guardian article
•  BBC article
•  RAS press release