Chris Lintott’s Universe

February 7th, 2008

Lift off for Atlantis – but what’s the science?

Posted by chrislintott in spaceflight

With space shuttle Atlantis having successfully reached orbit as the first of six planned shuttle flights this year, it seems a good time to return to my debate with Mark Hempsell about whether the UK should invest in the International Space Station. Following the first parts of our debate here and here, I asked Mark to elaborate on the type of science that could be done on the space station. Here’s what he wrote:

To give a taste of the sort of science the UK is already missing out on
consider the programme conducted on Mir and Space Shuttle and
continuing on the ISS which is studying calcium loss in the bones which has already
contributed a lot to medical understanding of osteoporosis and to
exploring preventive measures and cures. Or consider the tissue culture working
contributing to growing replacement organs of transplants with the
patent’s own DNA using cloning techniques. Or consider the research into protein

crystals (over 1000 samples are being prepared on the ISS) that
supports the drug development by the pharmaceutical industry. Or consider the
growth of ultra pure semiconductor crystals which may significantly advance
microelectronics. And, while no single area of research justifies
involvement in microgravity research, when one considers there are
hundreds of subject areas with a potential interest in using space, leading to
many thousands of individual research projects, the case is overwhelming.

And although in the UK there is a group who belittle this science as in
some way second rate, I think if you suffered from Osteoporosis or were
awaiting a life saving transplant (with resulting lottery of whether a
suitable donor will die at the right time) your perspective of what is
important science research may differ. The truth is Britain is staying
out of all the space research that will actually have an impact on peoples’
everyday lives, which, by the way, is completely contrary to the UK
Government slogan “putting space to work” i.e. only spending money
where there is a proven direct economic return which cannot be said of
astronomy and space physics.

February 7th, 2008

Response to UK astronomy petition

Posted by chrislintott in Uncategorized

All those who signed the astronomy petition on the Downing Street website will have received an email pointing them to the STFC press releases as a response from the government. The upshot of these not very clear documents is that nothing has changed; UK astronomy is still facing large cuts. It would have been nice if the government has responded to that fact instead of saying the same thing over again.

February 7th, 2008

Carnival of Space

Posted by chrislintott in Uncategorized

This week’s Carnival of Space is up over at Orbiting Frog….always worth a look.

Chris

February 7th, 2008

Cheer Chris Up!

Posted by jane in submm

No telescopes open and more snow on the way. We could do some laundry for excitement, but are saving that for tomorrow in case we need more excitement then. Chris needs cheering up – please help!

And in a rash moment, he gave posting access to his fellow observers, heheh… so
Chris Quote of the day: (we were walking past the visitor centre where someone was grappling with a shiny metal thermos) “Look, that man has a telescope!” Um… yeah, that’s why they pay you the big bucks, Chris…
Survival Tactic of the day: not eating the Prawns of Death, which re-appeared again on the salad buffet. They’re kinda brown now.