Telecomunicaciones y tecnología

There's life in space, says someone who's been there

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. commander of space shuttle Discovery believes life probably exists somewhere in outer space, but there is a simple reason why aliens have not visited earth -- the journey is too tough.

"We have seen some evidence that there is a possibility ofsome life on Mars in the past, so there is probably life allover the universe," astronaut Mark Kelly told a news conferencein Tokyo on Tuesday, where he was joined by other members ofthe Discovery crew.

"From our experience, it is very difficult to travelthrough space, and I personally think aliens have not visitedour planet."

The Discovery delivered Japan's Kibo orbital laboratory tothe International Space Station in June. Kelly described the $1billion (502 million pound), 32-ton module as a "Lexus of aspace station" where everything worked perfectly.

"Certainly like a Japanese car, Kibo was very well-made,"he said. "It is going to be the premier laboratory of the spacestation for many years to come."

Japan, the last of the 16-nation partnership to get itshardware in space, is expected to complete the three-part labnext year.

Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide -- whose name means "Goto the stars" -- was part of the eight-member team.

"Fourteen days was a short time," Hoshide told the samenews conference. "I wish I could have stayed longer."

During their mission, the crew successfully conducted threespacewalks to hook up the new lab, work on the station'scooling system and fix a problem that was hampering a pair ofsolar wing panels from tracking the sun for power.

Back on earth, some are more interested in the possibleexistence of alien life than the lab's scientific experiments.

Kelly's comments add to a lively Japanese debate overaliens and UFOs. Japanese politicians discussed the possibleexistence of flying saucers late last year after an oppositionlawmaker brought up the topic in parliament. Chief CabinetSecretary Nobutaka Machimura said he personally believed inUFOs, but Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda was more cautious, sayingtheir existence had yet to be confirmed. (Reporting by NaotoOkamura; editing by Sophie Hardach)

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