Manchester has a world renowned international airport, and if had a group of rocket engineers had had their way, could Manchester have had a spaceport to launch rockets, too? A group of rocket engineers lead by Eric Burgess formed the Manchester Interplanetary Society in 1936. Working closely with the Sci Fi community, their headquarters were [...]
Falling to Earth – Book Review
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“Falling to Earth”‘ is Al Worden’s autobiography, written with the British but USA based space historian Francis French. To mark the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 15, Worden has published the story of his mission as Apollo 15’s command module pilot (CMP) and its immediate aftermath of what came to be known as the “covers incident”, as the centre piece. With a foreword by Dick Gordon, an epilogue by Tom Stafford and further praise on the back cover from Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin and John Glen, Worden has finally received the personal redemption from those that he considers matter most – fellow astronauts.
Astronaut at TEDX Salford
Only one day to go for http://www.tedxsalford.com/ tomorrow at MediacityUK If you are in to astronauts you may be interested in this. I received confirmation yesterday that Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham‘s visit to Pontefract, Yorkshire in March has had to be cancelled. Apollo 17’s Harrison Schmitt in October is still on. My interviews with [...]
Stargazing Live and other Astronomical Events
BBC’s Stargazing Live from Jodrell Bank in Cheshire is fast become an annual astronomical highlight for the amateur astronomical community not only the UK but throughout the world. Anyone can join in and it is free. For a pretty comprehensive list of astronomical societies throughout the country and abroad, see the Federation of Astronomical Societies [...]
Gagarin Statue Campaign – Open Letter
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The campaign to bring the statue of Yuri Gagarin continues to attract support and now has almost 400 supporters who have signed the petition. Over the last few weeks two dozen individuals, many of whom you will recognise, have added their significant weight to the campaign and signed the open letter below. The names include [...]
Book about Gagarin’s visit to the UK in 1961
Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester A Smile that Changed the World? The story of the World’s first spaceman’s five days in the UK 11th – 15th July 1961 To buy ebook or paperback – email publications@astrotalkuk.org * * * Reviews London Society Journal “This fascinating and well-researched book recounts the legendary Soviet [...]
Episode 47:25th July 2011: Yuri Gagarin Statue in London
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Links to audio and video below. The 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s UK visit was marked by the unveiling of an aluminium statue of Gagarin, an exact copy of the one outside Lyubertsy Technical School number 10 where Gagarin started his training as a foundryman. The statue, a gift from the Russian federal space agency [...]
Episode 45: 4th July 2011: Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Al Worden
Probably the most scientifically demanding Apollo mission, Apollo 15 was launched on 26th July 1971 on a two week mission. Al Worden in the command module orbited the Moon for 75 orbits whilst Dave Scott and James Irwin explored the south eastern edge of Mare Imbrium on the Moon’s surface. Apollo 15 launched with the [...]
Episode 45: 4th July 2011: Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Al Worden Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadEpisode 44: 15th May 2011: First Orbit and Manchester’s Yuri Gagarin Exhibition
Another Yuri Gagarin episode, I know the anniversary of the world’s first spaceflight is over but there is still lots going on over the next few months. There are two contributors in this episode, Chris Riley and Richard Evans. One of the most successful projects to mark the anniversary is the film First Orbit. The [...]
Apollo astronaut in UK
Last year it was Dr Edgar Mitchell from Apollo 14 – video here. This spring, Ken Willoughby has arranged Captain Dick Gordon to visit Pontefract. Dick Gordon flew on Gemini 11 and Apollo 12. Details of Dinner and Lecture below. Click here to download the flyer. Dinner – £60 Thursday, March 31, 2011; 7:30 PM [...]
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