The Astronaut in the room
It's not every day your presenter doesn't need to be told who their next guest is. So, I'll forgive Hasit who was in charge of this morning's programme for telling Nicky who the man in the spacesuit was sitting opposite him.
And it's not every day that you get to talk to someone who has been into space, which is why it was great to hear from Richard Garriott this morning.
Richard's story is doubly interesting for the facts that his father was an astronaut as well and that he paid 17 million pounds for the privilege. You can hear what he had to say on the subject of space travel below.
There's also some video clips on the BBC News website about his adventure:
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5LNPI: Is it time for higher taxes for the rich? 09 Dec 09
10:16 Wed, 9 Dec 09
It's Alistair Darling's pre-Budget report today - the last before the general election. Sources say Mr Darling will speak of the case for fairer taxes. He's already announced increases in the top rate of tax and national insurance and it is possible there may be a further rise today. The government's expected to increase taxes on bankers today. But is it time to ask for more from all the wealthy?
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It is not proper to refer to this gentleman as astronaut, no matter how much he might wish to be referred to as such. It is as improper as as addressing a member of the minor nobility as "Your Majesty." It is as if he manufactured his own gold medal and is now calling himself an Olympian.
"Astronaut" refers to a member NASA-selected, trained, and sponsored corps. It is a small, elite group and membership is highly admired and sought-after. Garriott has been caught out many times trying to cajole the press into calling him by a title he has not gained. It is impertinent and he ought to be called on his presumption.
A genuine astronaut must be in perfect physical condition, and Garriott has several conditions and a medical history that would have disqualified him from being a NASA astronaut. Many of the other families that served at the Johnson Space Center as contractors for NASA are quite aware of them, as their children went to school with Garriott, and he was vocal in saying, often, that he wasn't allowed to play sports like rugby or American football. It is nauseating to observe his posturing about "poor eyesight," and to watch his immediate family keep silent.
A genuine astronaut typically is highly educated, PhDs are the norm among the corps. Garriott graduated from an American "high school."
Last, an astronaut is selected for what skills, experience and knowledge he can bring to the exploration of space and the maintenance of the expensive craft. NASA does not require performing clowns at the ISS, unless they wish the American taxpayers to cease to take the ISS seriously as an investment in science.
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