Orion Medical Blog

Britain could become involved in Nasa plans to send astronauts back to the moon by 2020, science minister Malcolm Wicks has said.  He met Nasa chief Dr Michael Griffin at the Cabinet War Rooms to discuss the plans for future moon landings.

It could be the world’s biggest science programme and UK businesses and scientists must benefit, said Mr Wicks.

The UK was a world leader in “small affordable satellites” and already had strong links with the US, he said.

The minister, who replaced Lord Sainsbury earlier this month, said it was exciting to discuss how the UK could get involved with lunar exploration.  Read more.

Swales Aerospace will work with NASA to develop a next-generation spacecraft that will make a long-anticipated flight to the moon under a five-year contract worth up to $200 million, officials announced Tuesday.  Read more.

Astronomers are meeting this week to put together their wish list for deep-space astronomy projects when the United States resumes exploration of the Moon with a new crew vehicle, the Orion, and new Ares rockets.  Read more.