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British astronaut to be announced British astronaut to be announced
(about 1 hour later)
The first official British astronaut is expected to be announced by the European Space Agency (Esa), MoD sources have told BBC News.The first official British astronaut is expected to be announced by the European Space Agency (Esa), MoD sources have told BBC News.
Esa is expected to name a 37-year-old Apache pilot from the Army Air Corps as one of six new recruits.Esa is expected to name a 37-year-old Apache pilot from the Army Air Corps as one of six new recruits.
The candidates will be presented to the public at a special ceremony in Paris.The candidates will be presented to the public at a special ceremony in Paris.
The appointment is somewhat surprising because Britain does not contribute to Esa's human spaceflight programme.The appointment is somewhat surprising because Britain does not contribute to Esa's human spaceflight programme.
Its preference has always been to fund the robotic exploration of space.Its preference has always been to fund the robotic exploration of space.
Those British-born people who have gone into orbit have done so privately or they have taken out US citizenship to fly with Nasa.Those British-born people who have gone into orbit have done so privately or they have taken out US citizenship to fly with Nasa.
The first Briton in space was Sheffield-born chemist Helen Sharman. She had to secure private funding to fly to the Mir space station on a Russian Soyuz craft in 1991.The first Briton in space was Sheffield-born chemist Helen Sharman. She had to secure private funding to fly to the Mir space station on a Russian Soyuz craft in 1991.
Three British-born astronauts have flown into space under an American flag: Michael Foale, Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.Three British-born astronauts have flown into space under an American flag: Michael Foale, Piers Sellers and Nicholas Patrick.
Esa says its new astronauts were selected solely on their ability to do the job.Esa says its new astronauts were selected solely on their ability to do the job.
The new recruits were selected from more than 8,000 applications and have been described as young and extremely capable individuals.The new recruits were selected from more than 8,000 applications and have been described as young and extremely capable individuals.
Manned spaceship The new astronauts are likely to get to fly on the space station
The astronauts will train to work on the space station and, depending on future developments, may even get to go to the Moon.The astronauts will train to work on the space station and, depending on future developments, may even get to go to the Moon.
It is possible they could also pilot the first manned European spaceship.It is possible they could also pilot the first manned European spaceship.
Esa is just about to initiate a study that will look at the feasibility of turning its robotic ATV space freighter into a crew transportation vehicle.Esa is just about to initiate a study that will look at the feasibility of turning its robotic ATV space freighter into a crew transportation vehicle.
"We're looking for... additional European astronauts," Simonetta Di Pippo, Esa's director of human spaceflight, told BBC News at the weekend. She declined to discuss nationalities or names."We're looking for... additional European astronauts," Simonetta Di Pippo, Esa's director of human spaceflight, told BBC News at the weekend. She declined to discuss nationalities or names.
"These are young candidates. I must say I found a very high level of expertise and capability. We started with 8,400... so you can imagine how tough it was. I'm really proud of what I saw in the last few weeks.""These are young candidates. I must say I found a very high level of expertise and capability. We started with 8,400... so you can imagine how tough it was. I'm really proud of what I saw in the last few weeks."
This recruitment campaign is Esa's first astronaut selection since 1992. It currently has eight men in its astronaut corps - from Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden.This recruitment campaign is Esa's first astronaut selection since 1992. It currently has eight men in its astronaut corps - from Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
The Belgian Frank de Winne is about to assume command of the International Space Station - the first non-US, non-Russian to do so.The Belgian Frank de Winne is about to assume command of the International Space Station - the first non-US, non-Russian to do so.
There will be an expectation also in Germany, France, and Italy that one of their nationals makes it through to the final selection. These are the Esa member-states that have committed most money to the space station programme, the agency having spent of the order of five billion euros on the project so far.There will be an expectation also in Germany, France, and Italy that one of their nationals makes it through to the final selection. These are the Esa member-states that have committed most money to the space station programme, the agency having spent of the order of five billion euros on the project so far.
The UK on the other hand has chosen to ignore Esa's "optional" human spaceflight programme. One of the major consequences of this position is that it has also locked UK companies out of the lucrative contracts to build space station equipment.The UK on the other hand has chosen to ignore Esa's "optional" human spaceflight programme. One of the major consequences of this position is that it has also locked UK companies out of the lucrative contracts to build space station equipment.
Business opportunitiesBusiness opportunities
British firms will be looking to see whether there are now business possibilities for them on the back of a UK astronaut.British firms will be looking to see whether there are now business possibilities for them on the back of a UK astronaut.
What is clear is that the flight prospects for all European astronauts are going to be limited in the coming years.What is clear is that the flight prospects for all European astronauts are going to be limited in the coming years.
Because Esa does not currently have its own crew ship, it must rely on seats being made available in Russian and American vehicles. But with the US shuttle about to be retired and a replacement craft not due to come into service until perhaps 2015, the opportunities to go into orbit will be greatly reduced.Because Esa does not currently have its own crew ship, it must rely on seats being made available in Russian and American vehicles. But with the US shuttle about to be retired and a replacement craft not due to come into service until perhaps 2015, the opportunities to go into orbit will be greatly reduced.
Europe is considering building its own crew transporter. Member states have approved a study that would assess how the robotic Automated Transfer Vehicle could be upgraded, first to bring cargo safely back to Earth and then, perhaps, humans.Europe is considering building its own crew transporter. Member states have approved a study that would assess how the robotic Automated Transfer Vehicle could be upgraded, first to bring cargo safely back to Earth and then, perhaps, humans.
But it would be the end of the next decade before such a vehicle became operational - if it were ever built.But it would be the end of the next decade before such a vehicle became operational - if it were ever built.
However, if the project were approved, it is conceivable that Wednesday's new recruits would be among the first to fly in the ship.However, if the project were approved, it is conceivable that Wednesday's new recruits would be among the first to fly in the ship.
Certainly, Di Pippo believes Europe should press ahead with the venture.Certainly, Di Pippo believes Europe should press ahead with the venture.
"My slogan is that in a global endeavour 'we need autonomy for co-operation'," she told BBC News."My slogan is that in a global endeavour 'we need autonomy for co-operation'," she told BBC News.
"So by increasing the autonomy of Europe, we will increase the robustness of the partnership.""So by increasing the autonomy of Europe, we will increase the robustness of the partnership."
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk