Space Age 50th anniversary: latest headlines from MSN UK News
The UK is to host the global headquarters of a £1billion next generation radio telescopes project. World-wide design efforts for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) - a collection of thousands of antennae spread over 1,250 miles - will be co-ordinated from the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics near Manchester.
A swarm of flying mirrors could be the best way to save earth from a catastrophic asteroid collision, researchers have announced. As many as 5,000 mirrors would be used to focus a beam of sunlight on to the threatening asteroid, melting the rock and altering its orbital path away from earth.
Engineers, military officials and former cosmonauts have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the launch of the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik, which marked the dawn of the Space Age and sparked the race to land a man on the moon.
More on the Space Age from MSN
Above the distortion of the atmosphere, far beyond rain clouds and light pollution, Hubble has an unobstructed view of the universe - a spectacular vision brought to you in this gallery from MSN UK News.
From the voyage of the space shuttle Endeavour to the discovery of a planet that could support life, MSN UK News brings you all the latest from the final frontier in this special report.
Since the dawn of the Space Age on October 4, 1957, men have walked on the Moon, robot rovers have crossed the deserts of Mars and scientists have discovered a planet with the potential to harbour extraterrestrial life. But what do you consider to be space exploration's greatest achievement?
Sputnik is the name of the first of several artificial satellites launched by the Soviet Union from 1957 to 1961. The goals of the Sputnik program included studying the earth's upper atmosphere, observing animal survival in space flight, and testing Soviet rocket technology.
More on space exploration from across the web
User Poll
We may not be alone...
- Does the prospect of scientists discovering extraterrestrial life fill you with excitement or send a shudder of fear down your spine?
- It thrills me! I'm very excited at the thought of there being life on other planets
78% - Are you kidding? I'm scared witless - who knows what destruction aliens could be capable of
7% - No idea: I'm not entirely convinced ET exists anywhere other than in our imagination
15%
- It thrills me! I'm very excited at the thought of there being life on other planets
More on the final frontier
The US space shuttle Endeavour has safely returned to Earth. In this gallery, MSN UK News brings you the most arresting images from its incredible journey into outer space.
Space World offers three-dimensional tours of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and NASA's Kennedy Space Center facilities.
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