12.7 million to One - Astronomical Odds

Dr Michael Foale CBE Astronaut at the University of East Anglia 24 January 2018

"All the Jodrell Plank Observatory Team turned out to visit the University of East Anglia this week to hear a presentation by the remarkable astronaut Dr Michael Foale CBE.  The Observatory's sponsors,Anita and George, were able to attend and had the pleasure of saying hello and having their photograph taken with him. Bearing in mind that the current world population stands at 7.6 billion souls and only 600 or so of them have ventured in to space, the odds of meeting an astronaut randomly are approximately 12.7 million to one - you are more likely to struck by lightning!

Dr Foale has had an amazing life and career - highlights including:

• An EVA to upgrade the computer on the Hubble Space Telescope
• Helping to save the Mir Space Station after a collision with a resupply capsule.
• Commanding the International Space Station

For more details about Dr Foale's life follow the link:
https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/foale.html

We were impressed by his wonderful communication and interpersonal skills, his enthusiasm for space and his obvious love of science. What a top man!" Kurt Thrust acting CEO and current Director of the Jodrell Plank Observatory.