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Category: Space

Space shuttle taking off

30 years on: what the Challenger disaster meant for our race into space

It was one of those moments you’ll never forget. Thirty years ago, the Challenger space shuttle exploded 73 seconds after launch. In an instant, a dream became a tragedy – and all because a small, simple seal had failed in the right solid rocket booster. I remember the event well. I had a dark cubbyhole […]

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Open University women honoured in Royal Astronomical Society portraits

Open University women honoured in Royal Astronomical Society portraits

100 years ago women finally won the right to be elected to fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society. To celebrate this anniversary, the society has commissioned 21 portraits of leading women in contemporary astronomy, which includes three academics from The Open University – more than any other institution represented.             […]

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The magical Solar System discoveries we made in 2015

The magical Solar System discoveries we made in 2015

It has been a busy year for Solar System exploration – and particularly our galactic neighbourhood’s small icy bodies. Comets, asteroids, Kuiper Belt Objects and planetary satellites have all been in the news – from stunning images of comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko at the start of the year, to the recent close-up of Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, […]

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Space exploration – inspiring the next generation

Space exploration – inspiring the next generation

Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences, Monica Grady, drafted this letter in response to the article “Boldly Gone”, which was published in The Times on Friday 18 December 2015. Sir, It was my privilege to be in Baikonur to observe Major Tim Peake’s launch into space— not just another European Space Agency astronaut, but the first from the UK. I […]

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Peake viewing: from bizarre astronaut traditions to awe-inspiring blast off

Peake viewing: from bizarre astronaut traditions to awe-inspiring blast off

Having spent days following him around, it was amazing to finally see the first official UK astronaut, Major Tim Peake, launched into space from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He’s been through six years of training to get to this moment, and will do a six-month tour of duty on the International Space Station. I […]

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