Media Information

This event is the major forum for professional exchange among American, Russian and other countries' astronauts and cosmonauts. More than 100 men and women who have flown in space are expected to visit Scotland to attend the congress in September this year. It will be the first time that the UK has hosted the event.

This is an enterprise programme organised by Careers Scotland to encourage creativity and innovation among secondary school children.

The event will be the 20th Planetary Congress and comes 50 years after the space age began in 1957 when the former Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the world's first man-made satellite.

Careers Scotland has developed a unique relationship with NASA and its astronauts, scientists and engineers. The partnership has been formed through Careers Scotland's Space School, a unique initiative supported by the Scottish Executive and the International Space Community. The programme aims to increase the participation and motivation of school students in science, engineering and technology and links a number of Scottish pupils and schools with NASA scientists.

Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut, said he would like to thank Careers Scotland for the gracious invitation and as well congratulate them on the magnificent work they are doing to increase student interest in science, mathematics and engineering.

The Planetary Congress will include a day that is dedicated to community and education activities and Careers Scotland aims to introduce the astronauts and cosmonauts to around 100,000 young people at events throughout Scotland.

Mr Wilson, the Deputy Enterprise and Lifelong Learning minister said that it was a very important event for Scotland - and in particular for our young people and that promoting science education within our youth is a key part of this process and he was confident that this event would stimulate a great deal of interest in schools.

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