The Royal Society, headed by the Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees, wants a national agency to champion the UK’s exploration and exploitation of space. This is a role partially fulfilled by the British National Space Centre. However, this body lacks the power and budget to implement national space strategy.

Rees told the BBC : “The UK has a great deal of expertise, but it is losing out as other national space agencies work harder for their industries and scientists.”

The government is currently reviewing space policy and the Royal Society’s comments will be taken on board, so to speak.

It’s a big couple of weeks for London and the final frontier. The Science Museum’s new-look space galleries open this Thursday, on the 45th anniversary of the UK’s first satellite launch. Look out for our special preview.

Meanwhile, at the BFI Imax, the Roving Mars documentary opens on 4 May (they’re missing a trick by not using ‘May the 4th be with you!’ in the advertising).

I went to the UK premiere yesterday and cannot recommend it highly enough. The launch and landing sequences, although largely computer generated, produced gasps from the audience.