ASTRONAUT Mike Foale, the first UK-born citizen to perform a space walk, will be the special guest when Chipping Campden School launches its new Science Training and Research Centre.

Dr Foale will be giving a talk about his experiences as a NASA astronaut at the centre on Wednesday, November 16.

During his spaceflight career, he conducted an eight-hour spacewalk to replace components on the Hubble Space Telescope, took part in six Space Shuttle flights and had extended stays on both the International Space Station and the Mir Space Station.

Following a serious collision with a resupply vessel whilst on Mir, he used his knowledge of physics to provide calculations to ground control which were used to stop it spinning out of control.

Dr Foale said: “I'm really looking forward to visiting Chipping Campden School and meeting students and members of the community. I look forward to relating my journey to becoming an astronaut and sharing my experience of six missions into space, together with the inspiration of the human space programme."

The public lecture will begin at 7.30pm, with doors open from 7pm. Tickets (£8 adults, £4 18 and under, family £20) are available from ticketsource.co.uk/date/302852.

The new science facility provides two lab learning spaces, a teaching training room and conference and meeting spaces.