AstrotalkUK

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

Episode 54: 23 July 2012 – Manchester Interplanetary Society and Stanley Davis

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Stanley Davis

The August 2012 edition of Spaceflight, the monthly magazine from the British Interplanetary Society carried an article where I discuss the Northwest of England’s contribution in Rocketry during the 1930s. An extended version of that article is available for free download on Astrotalkuk.org – here.

So on to today’ episode.

In 1937, two teenagers Harry and Stanley with an outrageous ambition to design and build rockets for space travel joined a newly formed group with a name to match – the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Soon each met a girl, fell in love, exchanged wedding rings and got married. They went off on their separate ways but pledged to stay stay in touch. In addition to his interest in rockets he had a strong interest in science. In the late 1930’s he went by train to London to hear a talk from H.G. Wells. Had he not died prematurely, he like Harry would have immersed himself in the sci-fi fandom movement that blossoming in Britain from the early 1930s.

Wooden Statue of Abraham Lincoln. Carved by Stanley Davis
Members of the Manchester Interplanetary Society. Harry Turner is 1st on the left

Two years later began the ferocious and violent events of World War Two that would shatter  their dreams and lives along with millions of others around the world. Harry Turner spent much of the War in India and following his return enjoyed a successful career as an artist. Stanley Davies died in August 1941 from injuries he endured at Dunkirk.

Recently this shared story brought together Harry’s son Philip and Stanley’s daughter Ann.  In episode 50 Philip recalled the memories of his father and in this episode Ann Sutcliffe remembers her father Stanley Davies.

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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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Shenzhou-9 Launched!

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Today’s Shenzou-9 made a text book launch atop the Long March 2F  rocket from the northern Gansu province based Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China.  Following the Soviet era like secrecy on launch date and identity of the crew, the actual launch was covered live by CCTV including feeds from the launch centre, control centre in Beijing and live images of the crew from inside the spacecraft.  Remarkably open live coverage continued from before ignition, during launch including stage separation up to solar array deployment. China looks confident and seems to wants to demonstrate that it knows what it is doing.

In an almost nonchalant approach to launch at T- 30 minutes prior to evacuate the launch site, the departing engineers lined up in front of the launch tower for pictures. The whole thing was tinged with an unusual aura of routine rather than the historic event in space history.

Launch itself did not generate the large quantity of dark smoke common with NASA Atlas and space shuttle. Perhaps because the booster rockets used liquid not solid fuels. The crew looked sombre and did not communicate much with each other or mission control. They hardly smiled preoccupied instead by their manuals in hand. Military presence was always there. Crew saluting at launch, capcom shouting orders and the first congratulatory message was announced by a senior official in military garb.

Shenzhou-9 crew Liu Yan, Jing Haipeng & Liu Wang

Before docking with Tiangong-1 the space station launched in September last year, the crew will have to endure the living quarters not much larger than that of the command module of the Apollo era. But then they were all men. The Shenzhou-9 crew, confirmed only yesterday,  consists of crew three astronauts, female Liu Yan and two males Jing Haipeng & Liu Wang.  There is speculation that Liu Yan will undertake a spacewalk during this mission. Today’s launch coincides with the 49th anniversary of the launch of Vostok 6 with cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.

Shenzhou-9 will make 5 orbital manoeuvres before an automatic docking with Tiangong-1  on Monday June 18th. It will remain docked for 8 days. Following another but manual docking manoeuvre, the crew will return after 11 days in space.