low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World |
| UK |
|
Northern Ireland Scotland Wales |
| UK Politics Business Sci/Tech Health Education Sport Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
|
 Dr Alexandre Martynov, Russian cosmonaut"Mir was designed to work in space for three years and it has been working more than 14 years"  real 28k BBC Wales's Sue Cass reports"The cosmonauts are two of Russia's leading explorers" real 28kBBC Wales's Amanda Powell reports"The Welsh Assembly bore more than a passing resemblance to Mission Control"  real 28k |
Cosmonauts touch down in Wales
Experiments on the Mir station have been influential
Two Russian cosmonauts have touched down in South Wales as guests of honour during National Science Week.
Commander Alexandre Volkov and Dr Alexandre Martynov are visiting the University of Glamorgan near Pontypridd and the Welsh Assembly in a three-day trip to discuss their missions and the importance of space science.
Commander Alexandre Volkov and Dr Alexandre Martynov are visiting the University of Glamorgan near Pontypridd and the Welsh Assembly in a three-day trip to discuss their missions and the importance of space science.
One of the main reasons to use space stations is to develop interplanetary flight  |
Dr Alexandre Martynov, Russian cosmonaut
|
Their visit is a boost to National Science Week, which aims to promote understanding of the role of science in daily life.
Dr Martynov told BBC Wales that experiments in space were crucial to the future development of science.
He pointed to the enduring Russian Mir space station as an important link in the chain.
Space technology
With a new crew due to board next month to carry out repairs on equipment, there were no signs yet of the ageing station being decommissioned, said Dr Martynov.
"Everybody understands now that studies in space helps a lot in everyday life and it is difficult to imagine any branch of industry today that does not apply space technology," he said.
"We also understand that to solve our future problems, the ecology crisis and lack of food or power, we need technology."
Dr Martynov, a former head of ballistics at the Russian Mission Control Centre, predicted the search for answers in space would prolong the lifespan of Mir.
"It is not the end. There was a decision from our government to continue its life. "It is a really unique experiment. It was designed to work in space for three years and it has been working more than 14 years."
Interplanetary
After the experience of cosmonauts spending more than 435 days on board Mir, scientists were now beginning to understand the principle of human beings surviving in space, he added.
"This is one of the main reasons to use space stations, to develop interplanetary flight."
During their stay, Dr Martynov and Commander Volkov, one of Russia's most highly decorated cosmonauts, will also join Welsh Assembly Deputy Presiding Officer Jane Davidson at a reception in Cardiff Bay.
Meanwhile, at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, an exhibition is being staged during National Science Week to mark the life of scientist Alfred Wallace.
The Welshman worked with Charles Darwin on the pioneering theory of evolution.
Dr Martynov told BBC Wales that experiments in space were crucial to the future development of science.
He pointed to the enduring Russian Mir space station as an important link in the chain.
Space technology
With a new crew due to board next month to carry out repairs on equipment, there were no signs yet of the ageing station being decommissioned, said Dr Martynov.
"Everybody understands now that studies in space helps a lot in everyday life and it is difficult to imagine any branch of industry today that does not apply space technology," he said.
"We also understand that to solve our future problems, the ecology crisis and lack of food or power, we need technology."
Dr Martynov, a former head of ballistics at the Russian Mission Control Centre, predicted the search for answers in space would prolong the lifespan of Mir.
"It is not the end. There was a decision from our government to continue its life. "It is a really unique experiment. It was designed to work in space for three years and it has been working more than 14 years."
Interplanetary
After the experience of cosmonauts spending more than 435 days on board Mir, scientists were now beginning to understand the principle of human beings surviving in space, he added.
"This is one of the main reasons to use space stations, to develop interplanetary flight."
During their stay, Dr Martynov and Commander Volkov, one of Russia's most highly decorated cosmonauts, will also join Welsh Assembly Deputy Presiding Officer Jane Davidson at a reception in Cardiff Bay.
Meanwhile, at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, an exhibition is being staged during National Science Week to mark the life of scientist Alfred Wallace.
The Welshman worked with Charles Darwin on the pioneering theory of evolution.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
|
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
|
| BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
See also:
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Links to other Wales stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~16~RS~)