Message to President Reagan (successful flight of space shuttle)

I was thrilled to hear that the flight of the Columbia has been successfully completed.

The development of the space shuttle, which opens a new era in the space age, has been a great achievement and I share with you the pride you must now be feeling.

Please convey to everyone involved—from the astronauts themselves to all the teams supporting them on the ground—my warmest congratulations on behalf of the British people. Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister.