AstrotalkUK

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

First Human Spaceflight – Sixtieth Anniversary

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Here is the opening couple of paragraphs to my 2011 book, on the 50th anniversary of the first human spaceflight. Three months later Gagarin came to Manchester.

Gagarin and British PM McMillan
Yuri Gagarin with the Prime Minister for the second time on 13th July 1961 (Courtesy RIA Novosti)

On the morning of April 12th 1961 two former construction workers, one a specialist in roof tiles and the other a qualified foundry worker, made history with the world’s first manned spaceflight to orbit the Earth. Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, the spacecraft’s chief designer, was born in 1906 amidst the perils of the Russian Revolution and civil war. Born in 1934, the world’s first cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin grew up in the shadow of the Second World War and the dangers of German occupation. Both went on to study in local vocational schools before turning to their passion for aviation.

Korolev first experienced the magic of aviation sitting on his grandfather’s shoulders, at a fairground show in the town of Zhitomyr in Ukraine1 in the summer of 1913. A biplane, piloted by an early famous aviator Sergei Utochkin, thrilled the crowd who had paid one rouble for the spectacle, as he took off, flew two km and landed again. By his early 20s, Korolev had designed, built and flown his own glider. He completed his pilot’s licence for gliders in 1923 and then his single engine Avro 504K biplane in the following year.2 Intriguingly, Alliot Verdon Roe who designed and built the Avro 504K, was born in Patriot and established factories in nearby Manchester. Around 9,000 Avro 504K were built between 1913 and 1932 in Manchester and under licence in several countries, so it is possible that Korolev’s Avro 504K (#353)3 was built in Manchester.

Who did he see, where did he go during the 5 days in London and Manchester? Here is the timeline for his 5 days in England.

Tuesday 11th July
10:30 Arrival at Heathrow [Guardian 11/7/1961]11:45 Soviet Embassy [Daily Worker 10/7/1961]13:00 Earl’s Court [Guardian 12/7/1961]15:00 Press conference in Fashion Hall Earl’s Court [Guardian 12/7/1961]16:15 BIS medal award at the end of the press conference [Flight 20/7/1961]16:30 Leave Earl’s Court [Guardian 12/7/1961]17:30 Evening reception at Soviet Embassy [Daily Worker 10/7/1961]
Wednesday 12th July
10:00 Arrival at airport [Manchester Evening News 11/07/1961]10:45 AUFW Medal Ceremony [Guardian 12/7/1961]11:35 Metropolitan-Vickers at Trafford Park [Manchester Evening News 11/7/1961]12:45 Manchester Town Hall [Manchester Evening News 11/7/1961]16:30 Manchester Airport
Thursday 13th July
11:00 Mansion House – Lord Mayor of London [Daily Worker 13/7/1961]11:45 Tower of London – Gv. Sir Thomas Butler [Daily Worker 13/7/1961]13:20 Burlington House – Royal Society
15:00 Return to USSR Embassy
15:45 Meet PM at Admiralty House [Prem 11-3543 12/07/1961 National Records Archive]16:15 Lays wreath at the cenotaph
16:30 Air Ministry in Whitehall – Secretary of State for Air
[Daily Worker 13/7/1961]18:00 Hyde Park Hotel GB USSR Association [Daily Worker 13/7/1961]19:30 Muscovites-Association cancelled. Sightseeing tour instead [Guardian 14/7/1961]22:15 Back at USSR Embassy [Daily Worker 13/7/1961]
Friday 14th July
12:50 Buckingham Palace [FO 371-159606 12/07/1961 National Records Archive]14:45 Soviet Embassy
15:30 Earl’s Court [Daily Worker 14/7/1961]16:00 Highgate Cemetery [Time is uncertain; The Times 15/7/1961 says “Evening”]16:40 Soviet Embassy – British Soviet Friendship Society [Daily Worker 14/7/1961]21:00 Earl’s Court Live BBC TV interview (at 21:30) from Earl’s Court with Richard Dimbleby, Tom Margerison, science editor of the Sunday Times, and Yuri Fokin of the Soviet Television Service [Daily Worker 14/7/1961]22:15 Soviet Embassy
Saturday 15th July
11:00 Leave Soviet Embassy for Airport [Daily Worker 15/07/61]11:45 Press conference at Airport

More about the book here.

Gagarin Statue – Update 14 July 2012

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To mark the 50th anniversary of his visit to Britain, a statue  of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was installed outside the offices of the British Council near Trafalgar Square in London, one year ago today. The full story was covered in episode 47.  At the time the British Council announced that the statue had planning permission restriction and had to be removed to another location after twelve months.

Twelve months on it is still there!

Details of what actually transpired is not clear. This is what I do know.  In May the Russian embassy stated that they are were seeking an extension for the statue to remain in its current location whilst they sought another. The British Council have indicated that Roscosmos are visiting London to discuss the future of the statue on 16th July – two days from now. So a decision may be imminent. I will issue the next newsletter once once an announcement is made.

How is the campaign going to bring the statue to Manchester? No substantial change. The local council is willing to engage, assist and possibly offer suggestions for a city centre site but cannot offer financial assistance. There are now 704 individuals who support the campaign via the online petition. Authors Brian Harvey and Bert Vis along with Tony Lloyd MP have now joined Sir Patrick Moore and Apollo 15 astronaut  AL Worden who have all signed the open letter.

You can add your name to the petition here. More details in a newsletter – as soon as an announcement is made.

Episode 53: 28th June 2012 – The Chinese Space program

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Chinese President Mao Zedong with space scientist Qian Xuesen in 1956
Chinese President Mao Zedong with rocket scientist Qian Xuesen in 1956

Even a cursory look at the Chinese spacecraft design indicates a close and obvious connection between the Chinese and the Soviet the space technology. No doubt a result of the close geography and a shared political ideology during the Soviet era.

In this episode, a space historian specialising in the Chinese and Soviet/Russian space program  outlines the history, current status and future of the Chinese space activities.

Brian Harvey is a Dublin based writer, author, broadcaster and probably the most informed specialist on Chinese space program in Ireland today. This conversation recorded during the Shenzhou-9 / Tiangong-1 mission orbiting the Earth with the three crew including the first Chinese female astronaut onboard. At the end of the interview Brian talks about the Space Cooperation Memorandum signed last week.

This telephone interview was recorded on Tuesday 26th June and published today – one day before the scheduled return of Shenzhou-9.

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Gagarin Statue in Manchester – Quick Update

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It appears that the public support for the statue to come to Manchester is not an issue once people get to know about the campaign. Half way target of 500 was met on Thursday last week. My thanks to all of you.

Another name, Professor Carl Murray  a scientist working on the Cassini probe currently orbiting Saturn, was added to the open letter this weekend.

The campaign has sufficient public support what it now requires is a sponsor to make it happen. It was clear from the beginning that public funds would not be appropriate in the current economic climate. Despite this, Manchester City Council continues with its essential engagement even though it cannot assist financially.

In his comment, Barrie D. Eckford  says “I too would wish to sign the appeal & should a public subscription be declared, then I would gladly add a small monitory amount.” This is very welcome Barrie and it may come to that.. but not yet.  As one of the now 500+ strong supporters, what do you think? Scroll down and read Barrie’s comment in full and add yours here.

Another Radio Interview, thanks to Andy Crane of BBC Radio Manchester is helping to publicise the campaign.

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Now that we are in December, this is the home run. If all goes to plan, we should know, one way or another, before the end of the month. I’ll keep you posted.