I think your right to smile Abi, it must have been a sight, they were waayy to big for me and
heavy at the time and the Moon was always difficult to keep in view with them, wobbling out of view but
I had to keep trying

James, Lucky indeed, they must have been some sight, you were also lucky NOT to have witnessed that
ill fated one.
Kazakhstan launch??? I would be surprised if this was the case...but where? well I read this and maybe
it might be right here in the UK? wishful thinking perhaps but if so I'd be there
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27222077

With the great advances being made by SpaceX (whose launch facilities are in the US as of now I think), would they not be in the running for a LM1 launch? Or indeed the ESA from French Guiana?

But then again, a lot will change in 10 years and LM1 is largely UK based with an international effort. Exciting times ahead

Good points Doug.
USA launch would be a lot safer & of course the French Guiana is the obvious one but I'd have my
fingers crossed for a UK launch (not impossible I guess) but the others are more likely.

I imagine it'll ultimately all come down to cost Paul. Space is an expensive business and particularly launching things into it. I'd imagine that fact won't have changed much in the next 10 years and will have quite a bearing on the location where LM1 is booked into to take off into history

Like so many others from the UK, I probably have to thank Sir Patrick Moore, though I'm sure Star Trek and my Grandfather had a big part to play.

I was interested in science (mostly physics) and technology back to my school days, but the fascination with space came much later and 'grew on me'. I've watched The Sky At Night for many years, and was a fan of Star Trek from TNG onwards. Since then I've joined the local astronomy society (and I'm now on the committee that runs it), seen a shuttle launch (STS-131), and started studying astronomy to degree level.

I've just recently discovered how involved my Grandfather was with space - I knew he had a telescope, but it's only this year I've found out how involved he was with the Royal Astronomical Society and British Astronomical Association. Today I've picked up a huge stack of his paperwork to look through, much of which I suspect dates to the Apollo era. Going to be a fascinating but challenging read!

Wow Mark to think your Grandfather had a deep passion for astronomy and you do too. Must be in the genes!