Saltire's mission to the stars
A SALTIRE that has flown over the Scottish Parliament is to be blasted into space by a British astronaut on Thursday.
The flag, which usually flies on between the parliament and Holyrood Palace, will spend 12 days in space with Nasa astronaut Nick Patrick as he embarks on his maiden space shuttle voyage. It will be taken to the International Space Station on Space Shuttle Discovery STS-116 as part of a mission before being returned to Edinburgh.
Mr Patrick, 42, was born in North Yorkshire, but has Scots roots. Earlier this year, the saltire was presented to the astronaut by Careers Scotland, while he was heading a space school for 26 Scots youngsters at the Nasa centre in Houston, Texas.
Mr Patrick, who has three children, said: "I am delighted to carry the Saltire on my first mission to space. I love Scotland and am always delighted to meet such inspiring young Scots."
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Weather for Edinburgh
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 20 C
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