Episode 36: October 11th 2010 – UK Space Policy and Yuri Gagarin’s visit to Manchester and London in July 1961

Next year, April 12th  2011, marks the 50th anniversary
of Yuri Gagarin's,  mankind's,  first steps into
space. It was a product of the accumulated technology of many
countries over many years, but particularly driven by the political
landscape resulting from the 2nd world War. Since then, successful
robotic missions have visited the planets, asteroids and comets. 24
men have gone to the moon and a dozen have even walked on its
surface. Subsequent achievements have fallen short of the
expectations raised by Gagarin's flight. Gagarin himself openly
spoke of his desire to go to the moon and Mars. That sounds like a
pipe dream now but back in 1961, he was absolutely serious and
realistic. So what happened? Had the space race been won when Neil
and Buzz landed on the Moon? Had the motivation borne out of
political rivalries of the Cold War finally been exhausted?
Perhaps, the problems closer at home of poverty, population growth,
and environmental concerns raced to the top of the political agenda
and forced governments into a pragmatic reconsideration of how they
spent their cash? Big questions. Too big for this episode, where Dr
Chris Welch from Kingston University provides a brief outline of
the current status of the Space policy here in the UK.  
Dr Welch  also happens to be the chair of the of recently
launched YuriGagarin50 group which has amongst its aims: Stimulate
celebration and recognition of the global significance of Gagarin
and his flight - 'the first person in space, the first person to
see the Earth as a planet'. After his flight, Yuri Gagarin embarked
on a world tour that included a 4-day visit to the UK, during which
he surprisingly visited Manchester on 12th July 1961. By chance,
Gagarin's first job was as a moulder in a foundry in
Moscow.   He came to the UK and Manchester at the
invitation of the Manchester-based Amalgamated Union of Foundry
Workers. I will be producing another episode focusing on Gagarin's
UK visit next year. Did you see Gagarin in July 1961? Do you know
someone who did? Share your memories. Drop me a note at
info@astrotalkuk.org. With many months to go to next year's 50th
anniversary, there are several events already being planned 
to celebrate mankind's first steps into space. Keep an eye on the
events calendar at  www.yurigagarin50.org
________________________________________________ The quote for this
episode is from the Soviet government in 1961 following Gagarin's
success in Vostok 1. Perhaps they were deliberately winding up the
Americans but there is something warm and reassuring to see a
couple of familiar words in the quote  “all mankind” that are
on the plaque left on the Moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts. A 1961
official Soviet Government and Communist Party announcement said.
“We regard these victories in the conquest of outer space not only
as the achievement of our people but as an achievement of all
mankind” A video version of this podcast is available on Vimeo
here.