Not long afterwards, Sir Patrick Moore called him to give him advice on telescopes and such, and despite being football fans, we thought getting a phone call from Patrick Moore was so much cooler than David Beckham... we were never particularly cool at school!

BBC: Sir Patrick Moore: Your memories

Among the challenges is modifying sensors designed to detect the heat from an incoming warhead so they can spot the much-cooler satellite, which has no heat source and is warmed only by the sun's rays.

CNN: Attempt to shoot down spy satellite to cost up to $60 million