Coastguard may lead Nasa rescue missions in Atlantic

The coastguard could lead search and rescue operations for Nasa in the North Atlantic when the US space agency resumes manned space missions in 2016.

Nasa plans to recommence manned vehicle missions to the Moon and the International Space Station.

A senior official from Nasa has already visited the coastguard base at Shannon Airport to hold preliminary talks about possible search and rescue requirements in case a launch has to be aborted.