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| Lift off for world space congress | Lift off for world space congress |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Experts and enthusiasts are meeting for the world's largest space exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow. | Experts and enthusiasts are meeting for the world's largest space exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow. |
| About 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the five-day 2008 International Astronautical Congress. | About 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the five-day 2008 International Astronautical Congress. |
| The event will hear from the heads of the world's major space agencies and look at the future of the industry. | The event will hear from the heads of the world's major space agencies and look at the future of the industry. |
| Some days will be open to the public, with lectures from top scientists, a technology exhibition and a competition prize to the launch of a satellite. | Some days will be open to the public, with lectures from top scientists, a technology exhibition and a competition prize to the launch of a satellite. |
| The conference opened with a video message from Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | The conference opened with a video message from Prime Minister Gordon Brown. |
| Mr Brown said the exploration of space was a "truly global endeavour." | Mr Brown said the exploration of space was a "truly global endeavour." |
| He said: "In the words of the great British physicist Stephen Hawking, we will reach out to the stars, to discoveries that are of fundamental importance to mankind." | He said: "In the words of the great British physicist Stephen Hawking, we will reach out to the stars, to discoveries that are of fundamental importance to mankind." |
| The UK's Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson also spoke at the ceremony. He pointed to an 8% growth in the country's space industry in 2006/7, with an overall value of about £6bn. | The UK's Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson also spoke at the ceremony. He pointed to an 8% growth in the country's space industry in 2006/7, with an overall value of about £6bn. |
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| Delegates, including a former astronaut, at the space conference in Glasgow | Delegates, including a former astronaut, at the space conference in Glasgow |
| Each day will follow a themed format with Monday being "agencies day". | Each day will follow a themed format with Monday being "agencies day". |
| The heads of the world's major space agencies - including Europe, USA, Canada, Russia, China, India and Japan - were due to make a short presentation on plans for the future. | The heads of the world's major space agencies - including Europe, USA, Canada, Russia, China, India and Japan - were due to make a short presentation on plans for the future. |
| Tuesday will be "industry day" with businesses having an opportunity to discuss future commercial opportunities. | Tuesday will be "industry day" with businesses having an opportunity to discuss future commercial opportunities. |
| "Climate day" on Wednesday will focus on the contribution that Earth observation is making in helping to monitor and manage climate change and the environment. | "Climate day" on Wednesday will focus on the contribution that Earth observation is making in helping to monitor and manage climate change and the environment. |
| On Thursday, "exploration day" will discuss the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars and beyond. | On Thursday, "exploration day" will discuss the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars and beyond. |
| "Citizens' day" on Friday will look at prospects for establishing a Moon base. | "Citizens' day" on Friday will look at prospects for establishing a Moon base. |
| A group of astronauts will also answer questions on their lives and experiences from students and young people. | A group of astronauts will also answer questions on their lives and experiences from students and young people. |
| The closing lecture will explore prospects for advanced space propulsion, such as fusion and anti-matter, in reaching out for the stars. | The closing lecture will explore prospects for advanced space propulsion, such as fusion and anti-matter, in reaching out for the stars. |