Prof Michele Dougherty, first woman to hold position, is upbeat about role of private sector in space explorationThe Royal Society was right to keep Elon Musk as a fellow, the UK’s new astronomer royal has said, adding there was a benefit to the private sector playing a role in space exploration.Speaking to the Guardian after becoming the first woman to hold the 350-year-old position, the planetary scientist Prof Michele Dougherty said she had not been involved in the meetings around Musk’s fellowship, but that she supported the academy’s stance. Continue reading…