National bard heads for stars
Robert burns book will be fired into space by students
Published:
A GROUP of Scottish school pupils are to be involved in sending a book of poetry by Robert Burns into space.
The 10 students, aged 16 and 17, are currently visiting Nasa’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, as part of a week-long study trip organised by the Scottish Space School.
Among the pupils are Jo Shepherd from Dingwall Academy and Emma Diamond from Stromness Academy. Together with the rest of the group they will get the chance to take part in simulated moon landings and learn how to build rockets.
They will also meet Tony Antonelli, the pilot of the Space Shuttle Atlantis due to travel to the International Space Station next May, and present him with a miniature book containing the works of Scotland’s best-known bard.
The thumb-sized book was produced by Strathclyde University’s electronic and electrical engineering department to coincide with Homecoming Scotland.
Earlier this week, First Minister Alex Salmond presented the youngsters with the book before wishing them well on their 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 contributions that Scotland has given to the world.”
It is hoped once the book is returned to earth it will be exhibited at the new Burns Museum in Alloway.
