The government is to launch a formal review into whether British astronauts should take part in the international exploration of space.
The government is to launch a formal review into whether British astronauts should take part in the international exploration of space.
The review has been prompted by growing fears that the UK might lose out in the next wave of space travel.
The review has been prompted by growing fears that the UK might lose out in the next wave of space travel.
International space agencies have set out ambitious plans in a document called the Global Exploration Strategy.
International space agencies have set out ambitious plans in a document called the Global Exploration Strategy.
Science Minister Ian Pearson said space was "increasingly important" and worth £7bn to the British economy.
Science Minister Ian Pearson said space was "increasingly important" and worth £7bn to the British economy.
Costs and benefits
Costs and benefits
The British National Space Centre (BNSC) said in the publication UK Civil Space Strategy: "In 1986 the UK chose not to participate in human space missions.
The British National Space Centre (BNSC) said in the publication UK Civil Space Strategy: "In 1986 the UK chose not to participate in human space missions.
"The publication of the Global Exploration Strategy provides a suitable point to review this decision."
"The publication of the Global Exploration Strategy provides a suitable point to review this decision."
The BNSC will study the options, taking into account the scientific, technological and economic costs and benefits, and report to Innovation Secretary John Denham.
The BNSC will study the options, taking into account the scientific, technological and economic costs and benefits, and report to Innovation Secretary John Denham.
Mr Pearson said: "This strategy sets out measures to increase the UK's share of this growing international sector."
Mr Pearson said: "This strategy sets out measures to increase the UK's share of this growing international sector."
The review is expected to take between six and 12 months.
The review is expected to take between six and 12 months.
The UK has historically opted out of manned space exploration, and spent its limited space budget on detailed scientific missions involving robotic probes.
The UK has historically opted out of manned space exploration, and spent its limited space budget on detailed scientific missions involving robotic probes.
British mission
British mission
Meanwhile, in another development, Nasa is due to give its formal backing in a report to a British-led £100m mission to the Moon.
Meanwhile, in another development, Nasa is due to give its formal backing in a report to a British-led £100m mission to the Moon.
The US space agency has described the MoonLITE mission to send a small probe to the Moon in 2013 as "inspirational".
The US space agency has described the MoonLITE mission to send a small probe to the Moon in 2013 as "inspirational".
The unmanned project involves the craft firing four-metre long darts called penetrators onto the lunar terrain.
The unmanned project involves the craft firing four-metre long darts called penetrators onto the lunar terrain.
The devices would enable scientists to scratch beneath the surface of the Moon and assess geological activity.
The devices would enable scientists to scratch beneath the surface of the Moon and assess geological activity.
Nasa and the British National Space Centre have produced a joint working group report which sets out plans for long-term lunar co-operation.
Nasa and the British National Space Centre have produced a joint working group report which sets out plans for long-term lunar co-operation.
The document picks out the MoonLITE proposal as one of the first projects that could be carried out jointly between the UK and the US.
The document picks out the MoonLITE proposal as one of the first projects that could be carried out jointly between the UK and the US.
I'm very confident that there could be a British Mission to the Moon in five years' time Professor Alan SmithMullard Space Sciences Laboratory
I'm very confident that there could be a British Mission to the Moon in five years' time Professor Alan SmithMullard Space Sciences Laboratory
The report acknowledges that it would be a difficult to design and build a spacecraft ready to launch in just five years, but suggests that the challenge would get creative juices flowing and give young space scientists and engineers valuable experience.
The report acknowledges that it would be a difficult to design and build a spacecraft ready to launch in just five years, but suggests that the challenge would get creative juices flowing and give young space scientists and engineers valuable experience.
Professor Alan Smith, of the Surrey-based Mullard Space Sciences Laboratory which is leading proposal, said he was "very excited" at the report's description of the project.
Professor Alan Smith, of the Surrey-based Mullard Space Sciences Laboratory which is leading proposal, said he was "very excited" at the report's description of the project.
He said "It's a great outcome at this stage."
He said "It's a great outcome at this stage."
Question mark
Question mark
The report recommends that a formal UK-US team is set up to oversee the details of the scheme.
The report recommends that a formal UK-US team is set up to oversee the details of the scheme.
The next stage starting early this year is to hammer out the practicalities of building the spacecraft.
The next stage starting early this year is to hammer out the practicalities of building the spacecraft.
There is a question mark over whether the UK could afford the mission.
There is a question mark over whether the UK could afford the mission.
Even though the estimated cost is cheap by space exploration standards, the current state of the Science and Technology Facilities Council's finances might make it difficult for the UK to fund its share of the mission.
Even though the estimated cost is cheap by space exploration standards, the current state of the Science and Technology Facilities Council's finances might make it difficult for the UK to fund its share of the mission.
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