Sheffield astronaut Dr Helen Sharman OBE to be honoured by the Queen today

She will be appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Ms Sharman, who was born in Grenoside, became the first Briton in space and first woman to visit the Mir Space Station in May 1991.

Her trip was made possible by a private programme called Project Juno, and paid for jointly by the USSR and a consortium of British companies.

The former chemist is being honoured for her services to science and technology educational outreach.