Why is it that the sight of a huge, thrusting rocket ploughing through virgin space at 25,000 kmph makes me feel so good? As for seeing a real astronaut with a Union Jack on his arm, how can anyone not be moved? Englishman Tim Peake launched into space just after 11 AM yesterday, alongside Russian Yuri Malenchenko and American Tim Kopra, the three men heading for the International Space Station. Peake is the first official UK astronaut, although the seventh Briton in space, the first being Helen Sharman in 1991. There are many people who consider this all a bit of a waste of money; Rev Giles Fraser, for one, was mulling over the expense involved yesterday morning.
It’s true that space travel is hugely costly, but then it would be when a rocket is consuming 255 tonnes of fuel and liquid oxygen in under five minutes. And while NASA themselves point to the research benefits of the space station, there are deeper spiritual rewards to space travel too. As
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in