Robert Burns heading for space in 2010 mission

Nov 20 2009 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

Robert Burns book

ROBERT Burns is going into space.

The Bard will blast off on the space shuttle Atlantis next year.

A thumbnail book of his poems has been created to mark the year of Homecoming.

And a Cumnock student will help deliver the book to the International Space Station.

Cameron Paterson is one of 10 students chosen to travel Stateside for the special mission.

He’s passing on the book to astronaut Tony Antonelli, pilot of the space shuttle transporting the poems.

The miniature book was handed over by First Minister Alex Salmond in preparation for its big journey.

He said: “In the year of Homecoming, when we celebrate the global influence of Robert Burns, it is fantastic to see our national poet’s legacy travel even further.

“Launching this miniature book of Bard poems into space is an excellent way to highlight the many great contributions that Scotland has given to the world.

“I would like to congratulate the successful students andwish them well on theirjourney.

“Taking part in this exciting adventure will stimulate their interest in science and technology and encourage them to consider building on these skills in their future careers.”

The book will travel to space next May and then return to Alloway to take its place in the new Burns musuem.

It’s the creation of Strathclyde University’s Alan Archibald, a distant relative of Burns’ wife Jean Armour.

Professor Jim McDonald, Principal of the University, revealed: “The prospect of travelling into space has captured the imagination of an entire generation and the Scottish Space School has inspired thousands of young Scots to pursue careers in science and engineering by showing how the disciplines can be applied to solve everyday problems.

The 10 Scots’ students, including Cumnock’s Cameron, will pass on the Burns book during a study visit to NASA.