Britons on the Moon ‘By 2020′

BRITISH astronauts sporting Union flags on their space suits could be walking on the moon by the 2020s if ministers follow proposals set out by a Government agency working group.

A report from the panel of scientists and industry experts, appointed by the British National Space Centre, urges the UK to start preparing for future manned space missions.

Failure to do so could result in Britain being left behind as countries around the world head into space, it is claimed.

If the plans are implemented, it will mark a complete turnaround of UK space policy.

Up to now, Britain has focused exclusively on satellites and robotic space exploration.

Although a handful of British-born astronauts have flown in the American space shuttle, there have been no “home grown” manned space missions.

(c) 2007 Daily Post; Liverpool. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.