Helen Sharman

On Mir, the lights kept going out because it had developed so many electrical problems.

People are fascinated by space flight. It makes them interested in science, gets them asking questions and motivates them.

I get standing ovations at meetings when I say Britain should be involved in human spaceflight. Unfortunately, that goal has been blocked by a handful of people in high office.

What people don't understand about Sarah Palin is that she is a rancher's wife. From Alberta down to Texas I've known women like that: good common sense, bright and vilified by city people.

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.

I believe in the power of poetry, which gives me reasons to look ahead and identify a glint of light.