Space 50 podcasts
The UK Space Agency (formerly know as the British National Space Centre [BNSC])commissioned these audio podcasts in 2007 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of space exploration. They include interviews and archive recordings on the Jodrell Bank 'Mark 1' radio telescope, UK rocket programmes and early satellites.
Jodrell Bank
Listen to an interview with Sir Bernard Lovell recorded in Sir Bernard's office at the Jodrell Bank Observatory. It is mixed with archive taken from a 1957 Government film. Sir Bernard talks of his wartime experiences with leading physicist Patrick Blackett, his inspiration for the giant 'Mark 1' Jodrell Bank radio telescope and tracking the Sputnik satellite.
Bernard Lovell 1 (MP3, 8.7 Mb)
Sir Bernard Lovell talks to science presenter Richard Hollingham about recent developments in radio astronomy and cosmology.
Bernard Lovell 2 (MP3, 3.7 Mb)
The UK rocket programme
Professor Ken Pounds of the University of Leicester talks about the early days of the UK's Skylark rocket sounding programme. Skylark was first launched in 1957 and remained in use until 2006 - making it the world's longest running space programme. Archive is taken from a 1957 film, 'Dateline Britain'.
Skylark (MP3, 7.0 Mb)
Jim Scragg and Ray Wheeler return to the (once secret) UK rocket testing site on the Isle of Wight. They tour the site, used to test Black Knight and Black Arrow, with science presenter Richard Hollingham.
Black Knight (MP3, 9.4 Mb)
Roy Dommett recalls his time on the Blue Streak rocket programme. Blue Streak was originally developed as a missile in the 1950s. It was adapted in the 1960s to form the first stage of a European satellite launch vehicle. Although the Blue Streak rocket worked well, the European vehicle was never successful. The archive is from a Government film aimed at publicising the project.
Blue Streak (MP3, 6.4 Mb)
The early UK satellite programme
Ken Pounds talks to Richard Hollingham about his work on the UK's first satellite, Ariel 1, launched in 1962.
Ariel 1 (MP3, 3.5 Mb)
Reginald Fox oversaw the construction of Ariel 3, the first satellite to be designed and built in the UK. He talks about the project, the launch and aftermath.
Ariel 3 (MP3, 3.8 Mb)
Richard Tremayne-Smith worked on Prospero, the only British satellite to be launched on a British rocket (Black Arrow). He tells how the launch went ahead even though the project had been cancelled!
Prospero (MP3, 6.9 Mb)
All material (including archive and interviews) Crown Copyright.
