Space race leaders

A new Earth observation centre will enable the UK to bolster its position in international space programmes. The Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation, an initiative from the Natural Environment Research Council and the Department for Trade and Industry, aims to put the UK in pole position to win international contracts for the development of new space instruments.

Paul Monks, reader in the department of chemistry at Leicester University, a lead partner, said: "Leicester will take a lead in planning the next generation of satellites for keeping a health check on planet Earth."