Last week's poll: the UK and space exploration

It was a 'yes' for human space exploration as a catalyst for inspiration and innovation (58%), a yes for it driving innovation (15%), and a similarly affirmative response for it being an important inspiration (13%).

Of the remaining votes, 8% thought space exploration of no use, and 6% couldn't find a fit with their view. As always, we like to know why.

Is the UK going to benefit from the presence of British astronauts in space, or should it have stuck with robots, asks Stuart Nathan.

The UK's involvement in human spaceflight is undoubtedly in its most successful period ever. After shunning human exploration of space for many years, the UK now has its first 'official' European Space Agency astronaut, Tim Peake, on board the International Space Station, and after 'running the London Marathon' in space (on a treadmill, hence the inverted commas) and taking control of a prototype Mars Rover in Stevenage, along with his regular Q&A sessions with schoolchildren, it seems that Major Peake is playing a major role in raising the profile of STEM and enthusing the next generation of scientists and engineers. The UK's involvement is assured and may increase following the appointment of former UK Space Agency chief executive David Parker as head of human spaceflight and robotic exploration at ESA; he took up the post last month.