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Not for profit website/blog on astronomy, space and my writing

Episode 104 – William Leitch. The forgotten Scottish Rocket Pioneer

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When it comes to the pioneers of rocketry, tradition has it that it was Tsilokosky, Goddard and Oberth. in this episode, author Rob Godwin talks about William Leitch from Scotland. Leitch was writing about the principles of rocket propulsion and space travel in 1861. Decades before Tsiolkovsy. Over the last few years, Rob has been researching Leitch’s story and published a book – William Leitch Presbyterian Scientist & The Concept of Rocket Space Flight 1854-1864

In this interview recorded via Zoom, Rob Godwin recalls how he came across Leitch’s work and the research activity that eventually led him to uncover this remarkable story.

The following 19th-century publications, that Rob refers to are now available online, and pdf versions can be downloaded. Links are available on the episode page

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Episode 103 -Observing the Solar System with the JWST

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The James Webb Space Telescope has already wowed astronomers and the general public with some incredibly spectacular deep space images. But did you know, NASA has set aside a substantial number of hours for JWST to observe the objects in the solar system? What’s more that programme kicks in this autumn so some images of planets and their moons along with asteroids and comets will be published before the end of this year.

Dr Connr Nixon

A team of astronomers including planetary scientist Dr Connor Nixon will make use of the Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) to observe the objects in the solar system from Mars and beyond. JWST cannot look towards the Sun so excludes the Earth, Venus or Mercury. The program is led by Dr. Heidi B. Hammel.

In this interview recorded in July during COSPAR2022 in Athens, Connor Nixon talks about the GTO and his role in it looking at Titan.

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Episode 102 – Martian Geology with Prof Sanjeev Gupta

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In 1972, Harrison Schmitt became the first (and so far only), scientist to walk on the surface of the Moon. As a practising geologist, he brought a scientific perspective to understanding lunar geology. Since then many scientists have brought their scientific insights to understanding the surfaces of comets, asteroids, the planets in the solar system and their moons.

Professor Sanjeev Gupta

Professor Sanjeev Gupta is amongst the geologist helping to understand the martian surface today. Not from field trips to the martian surface but from data returned by martian landers, rovers and orbiters. In this interview recorded in July during COSPAR2022 in Athens, he describes his journey from revealing how the United Kingdom became an island to making sense of martian geology.

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Episode 101 UNOOSA – Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

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Niklas Hedman
Acting Director UNOOSA

Niklas Hedman, the Acting Director of the United Nations Office for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNOOSA) talks about UNOOSA’s ongoing role in facilitating and promoting the peaceful uses of space in Low Earth orbit and beyond.

In this interview recorded in July during COSPAR2022 in Athens, he speaks about the challenges and opportunities of space in the context of

  • Increasing commercial activities
  • Mega satellite constellations
  • Small Satellites
  • Legally and non-legally binding instruments Planetary Protection

He highlights a few of the many resources available online from UNOOSA’s website including the Space Objects Register, Online Index and Sustainable Development Goals. Video and audio links below

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