I'm Scotland's first astronaut – here's why celeb space trips like Katy Perry's are a good thing
RISING STAR I'm Scotland's first astronaut – here's why celeb space trips like Katy Perry's are a good thing
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
SCOTLAND'S first astronaut has insisted space trips can help save Earth.
And David Mackay, 68, backed spaceports in this country to lead the way.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
He became the nation's first man to travel to space in 2019
3
It comes weeks after Blue Origin's historic all-female spaceflight
Credit: The Mega Agency
3
David reckons SaxaVord's rocket hub on Unst in Shetland will soon be in demand
Credit: PA
He reckons more people will become inspired to tackle climate change after experiencing jaw-dropping views of the globe from orbit.
His prediction comes weeks after Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight featuring pop singer Katy Perry.
Campaigners insist the trips increase pollution via greenhouse gas emissions.
But dad-of-two David, who piloted a Virgin Galactic trip in 2019, said: 'When it comes to celebrity space tourism, these passengers are incredibly influential.
"If they come back inspired, talking about how fragile the planet is and urging people to take action, that can be a powerful force for good.
'There's no easy Plan B for Earth. We've got to look after it.'
David, of Helmsdale, Sutherland, reckons SaxaVord's rocket hub on Unst in Shetland will soon be in demand.
It is gearing up for lift-off in July.
The US-based spaceman added: 'There's huge potential for space tourism here.
"Scotland is a beautiful country. It could become a hotspot for people eager to venture into space.'
Was Blue Origin mission FAKED? Conspiracy theorists reveal 'proof'
We told previously how NASA's oldest serving astronaut made a detour to Scotland on return from his space mission.
Don Pettit, 70, and his colleagues returned to Earth in a parachute-assisted capsule landing last month.
They spent 220 days in space and orbited the Earth 3,520 times, NASA said in a statement.
But Dr Pettit also made flying visit to Scotland on his way home.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The six-word plea scientists aim to send before mysterious interstellar object reaches Earth
Scientists are urging NASA to send a message to a mysterious interstellar object before it is too late. The object, known as 3I/ATLAS, is traveling on a rare retrograde path and will reach its closest point to the sun on October 29, 2025, which Harvard physicist Avi Loeb suggested could be an ideal window for a covert approach on Earth. While Loeb is not 100 percent sure 3I/ATLAS is of alien origin, he proposed communicating with it as a precaution and crafted a six-word message for the occasion. The physicist told the Daily Mail that he wants to beam, 'Hello, welcome to our neighborhood. Peace!' 'The only way to reach it now is with a beam of light,' Loeb explained, suggesting a radio message could be sent in hopes of detecting a response. Loeb warned that if the object is an alien probe, it could reach Earth by Christmas 2025, giving humanity only months to prepare for a possible encounter. However, he also acknowledged the risks, noting that any intelligent life aboard might see the signal as a threat. 'A visitor to our backyard, like 3I/ATLAS, can easily enter our home planet, Earth, within a travel time of less than a few months,' Loeb said. NASA detected the object, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, on July 1, sparking a flurry of scientific analysis to determine its origin. While more than 200 researchers have concluded it is likely a comet, Harvard physicist Avi Loeb has raised doubts in a newly released pre-print paper, pointing to one glaring omission: 3I/ATLAS has no visible tail. 'There were claims of a tail,' Loeb said, 'but since 3I/ATLAS is accelerating and its current size is not much larger than the angular resolution of Earth-based telescopes, it is not easy to avoid fictitious elongation of the image as a result of the object's motion.' He also questioned the object's unusual lack of gas emissions and its precise, retrograde trajectory, which aligns suspiciously well with the inner solar system. Loeb has developed what he calls the 'Loeb Scale', a ranking system to evaluate the likelihood that an object is artificial, and gave 3I/ATLAS a six out of ten. That suggests it is more likely than not to be engineered, though he emphasized that this score may change as more data becomes available. 'During an exchange with 3I/ATLAS, we could use the Turing Test as a measure of the intelligence with which we communicate, as long as the two sides develop a common language for communication,' Loeb shared in a blog post. 'Our side of the communication channel can be assisted by our most advanced artificial intelligence systems to decode the messages we receive. 'But as anyone who went on a blind date knows, exchanging text messages could be a very different experience than an actual encounter 'in person.'' Among his more provocative theories, Loeb suggested 3I/ATLAS could be an alien mothership releasing small probes to intercept Earth. 'The more likely scenario from an engineering perspective involves a mothership that releases mini-probes which perform a reverse Oberth maneuver to slow down at perihelion and intercept Earth,' Loeb wrote. This type of maneuver uses the sun's gravitational pull at the object's closest approach to adjust the trajectory efficiently, enabling the probes to reach Earth without large amounts of fuel. Chris Lintott, an astronomer at the University of Oxford, dismissed Loeb's theory as 'nonsense on stilts,' calling it 'an insult to the exciting work going on to understand this object.' However, Loeb said his analysis remains rooted in observational data. His latest paper, based on ground-based telescope readings between July 2 and 29, revealed reddening colors in 3I/ATLAS, usually interpreted as surface dust or organic compounds. Loeb noted that spectroscopic data from this and three previous studies show no signs of atomic or molecular gas in a coma, a feature typically expected in comets. While the reddening may suggest dust, it could also mean the object simply has a naturally red surface, much like D-type asteroids or other ancient space rocks. 'Continued monitoring around perihelion is necessary to track changes in activity and color,' the study concluded, 'which will provide insights into the evolution of interstellar materials under solar radiation.'
Time Out
3 hours ago
- Time Out
The route map for America's fastest train linking NYC to L.A. will stop in these 8 major cities
A bold new plan aims to link America's coasts by high-speed rail—Delaware-based AmeriStarRail has proposed the "Transcontinental Chief," a privately funded passenger and freight train that will take you from Los Angeles to New York in under 72 hours, with service aiming to begin by 2026. While the company still needs to secure a partnership with Amtrak to begin, plans are already coming together, including the eight major stops the proposed train will make along the route. Starting from Hoboken Terminal—reachable from Manhattan via PATH or ferry—the train heads west, skipping Penn Station due to tunnel restrictions for Amtrak's double-decker Superliners. The first leg runs to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where a single-level section branches toward Philly and D.C. Next is Pittsburgh, PA and then Cleveland, OH. The halfway point is Chicago, IL, America's rail hub and deep-dish capital, where the Transcontinental Chief will link with other long-distance routes. Then it's across the plains to Kansas City, MO. Rolling into the Southwest, the train will stop in Albuquerque, NM, a desert gateway along Route 66. Finally, the journey ends at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA. The train will serve 54 cities in total, but these eight anchors form its spine. AmeriStarRail says the route would replace Amtrak's "Southwest Chief" and "Pennsylvanian" services and will add truck transport via a roll-on, roll-off system—turning the train into a "rolling rest stop" for long-haul drivers. Not everyone's convinced, however. Amtrak has publicly said the plan lacks a "fundamental business case," though AmeriStarRail insists it will share details under a non-disclosure agreement. If it launches, this could be the fastest, most scenic way to traverse the country. The company hopes to begin service on May 10, 2026, which just so happens to be National Train Day. Service would also begin just in time for the 250th birthday of the U.S. and just weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup—exciting stuff!
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK weather favours Perseids meteor shower: know the exact time to watch
The Perseid meteor shower has been building to its peak on 12 August, with the number of meteors expected to increase every night until the ultimate peak The spectacular Perseid meteor showe r has been building towards its 12 August climax as UK skies appear promising and Jupiter and Venus move closer together. The meteor shower, which is sometimes confused with the Geminid shower, has been active since 17 July and will continue until 24 August, the Royal Observatory confirms. Nevertheless, the quantity of meteors is anticipated to grow each night until reaching its absolute peak on 12 August, with the best place in the UK to spot it listed. What exact time should I watch out for the Perseid meteor shower? This evening, observers across the UK should be able to spot some meteors once the sun goes down, but the Royal Observatory advises the optimal time to gaze upwards is between midnight and 5.30am, reports the Express. An added treat for those attempting to catch the meteor shower - Jupiter and Venus will also appear at their closest on 11 and 12 August. NASA states that on the morning of the 12th, the two planets will be roughly a degree apart and will glow brightest before sunrise. What is the weather going to be like? This evening's weather conditions are anticipated to be "favourable" for viewing the Perseids shower, the Met Office confirms. UK weather 'favourable' The forecaster states that despite some regional cloud cover, most of the UK, particularly central England and Wales, will enjoy clear skies and mild temperatures. "It's an excellent opportunity to witness one of nature's most dazzling displays," it says. "Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or a curious newcomer, the Perseid meteor shower promises a memorable night under the stars." While the 84% brightness of the moon may obstruct some viewers' visibility, NASA suggests that keen stargazers could still catch a glimpse of the action by positioning themselves behind a tall building or tree to block out some of the moonlight. Here's how to watch the Perseid meteor showers Experts advise observers to steer clear of well-lit and built-up areas and seek unobstructed views to fully appreciate the spectacle. Meteorite specialist Dr Ashley King, from London's Natural History Museum, recommends standing on a hill in the middle of the countryside or heading to the coast as ideal spots for meteor viewing. He warns that the skies might appear empty for the first 10 minutes while your eyes adjust to the darkness, so patience is key. Using a red light torch can also be beneficial, as it won't strain your eyes while they acclimate to the dark. He stated: "Once you get used to the low light levels, you'll begin to notice more and more. So don't give up too quickly." The Perseids - named after the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors are believed to originate - are also renowned for their fireballs. These are characterised by larger explosions of light and colour that linger in the sky longer than the average meteor streak. NASA has dubbed it the "most popular meteor shower of the year".
