Sir, Andromeda is not a nebula 300 million light years away but one large galaxy 2.2 million light years away, with two small companion galaxies. Since Mr Adrian Meynell Vale (letter, February 23) believes that “outer space” begins in this region the answer to his question “what military uses can it have?” must be none, if only due to the logistics.

Yours sincerely,
WILLIAM GARRETT,
108 Pinner View,
Harrow, Middlesex HA1 4RL.
February 23.

From Mr John B. Sheldon

Sir, I wish to reassure Mr Adrian Meynell Vale that far from being lost in outer space, I am alive and well in Henley-on-Thames.

Outer space begins where the laws of aerodynamic forces no longer apply and where Johannes Kepler’s three laws of orbital motion take over, which is at about 89 miles altitude above the Earth, the lowest useful orbit.

Orbits around Earth are of immense military value and are surely nearer to matters on Earth than are galaxies 300 million light years away.

Yours faithfully,
JOHN B. SHELDON,
(Leader, Space Security and the Military Uses of Outer Space Programme),
Centre for Defence and International Security Studies,
The Court House,
Northfield End, Henley-on-Thames,
Oxfordshire RG9 2JN.
jsheldon@cdiss.org
February 23.

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