Although there is no shortage of subscribers to theories that 'we are not alone’, the fact that Edgar Mitchell, who holds the joint record for the longest moon walk, is among them will come as a surprise to many.

Dr Mitchell, who holds two Bachelor of Science degrees and a doctorate in aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, made his comments during an interview with a UK radio station this week.

Asked whether he believed there was life on other planets, he replied: “Oh yes. There’s not much question at all that there is life throughout the universe. I’m totally sure we are not alone.”