Queen's eyes on outer space as she ends whirlwind US tour

May 8, 2007, 18:43 GMT

Washington - Queen Elizabeth II looked into the future of space flight Tuesday as she concluded a six-day US visit that started last week with a journey back in time, to the early days of British colonial settlement.

Elizabeth, who wore a lemon-coloured coat and matching hat, toured NASA's Goddard Space Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland and heard from astronauts aboard the International Space Station via a video link.

'Very fascinating,' the queen said after hearing the three crew members describe life in space.

Last week, Elizabeth visited Jamestown, Virginia, which is celebrating 400 years since its founding as the first British colony in the New World. The queen, an avid horse fan, also attended the Kentucky Derby.

In a speech at the White House Monday, Elizabeth called her visit 'a window on the future' of US-British relations, and said she was looking forward to seeing 'something of how the cutting edge of science and technology can take us to the next phases of discovery and exploration in human endeavour.'

At the space center, the queen met with school children and employees, viewed exhibits on space and planted a tree at the centre.

She was to spend the afternoon touring a children's hospital with First Lady Laura Bush before laying a wreath and meeting veterans at the World War II memorial.

The queen attended a white-tie dinner with President George W Bush on Monday evening. She is to depart Tuesday evening after entertaining the Bushes and other luminaries at the British ambassador's residence.