FAO Space Geeks

[Metalface Mark]

The BBC is doing a fair amount of spacey stuff with the run up to Gagarin's 50th flight anniversary.

Theres some brilliant pictures of the early mercury, gemini and vostok/vokshod stuff. If anyone has never seen the awesome angry alligator agena docking module, I think it is one of the best pictures ever taken in space.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12953807

Also - Spaceman School - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12969593

Gagarin 50 years on - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12895822

 

[Cosimo]

Don’t forget “The First Orbit” to be shown on BBC Big Screens and YouTube on Tuesday 12th April at 07:07 BST:

http://www.firstorbit.org/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigscreens/locations/

http://www.youtube.com/firstorbit

Take a look at the 50th Anniversary site:

http://yurigagarin50.org/

and look at all the events to he held around the UK.

 

[Metalface Mark]

Nice one, i didnt know about the youtube thingmabob

 

[Metalface Mark]

Its really a shame he's not still about to enjoy the celebrations

 

[SiriusB]

[tinfoilhat]Blame the KGB![/tinfoilhat]

 

[Biohazard]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12953807

That lunar vehicle picture shoots down groen's arguments a bit doesn't it?

 

[Cosimo]

The video is now live:

​

 

[Cosimo]

Beaten by the Reds, a US front page from the 12th April 1961:

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/174156main_image_feature_800A_ys_full.jpg

 

[Metalface Mark]

SM - did you check out the fbi files released - the stuff on WVB is quite interesting, its linked in the other thread.

 

[Metalface Mark]

Beaten by the Reds, a US front page from the 12th April 1961:

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/174156main_image_feature_800A_ys_full.jpg

The most interesting thing about that page is the question about whether previous astronauts had been killed, its always been something that has been a possibility with the USSR only telling people about successes. It could well be a hidden secret no one ever finds out about but its possible Gagarin was not the first in space.

 

[Cosimo]

SM - did you check out the fbi files released - the stuff on WVB is quite interesting, its linked in the other thread.

I've been looking at the people in "Popular Culture", will look at his stuff later:

http://vault.fbi.gov/Wernher VonBraun

 

[Metalface Mark]

I thought the timing of the investigation was quite interesting, with J Edgar Hoover requesting an investigation into him a few weeks before Shepard's sub orbital.

 

[Cosimo]

Just had this email. You may want to go:

"POYEKHALI!"
Gagarin and the Dawn of Space Exploration
Free exhibition

Organised by RIA Novosti and Science Photo Library, this exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the first human journey into outer space, made by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Featuring rarely seen photographs, "Poyekhali!" ("Off we go!") explores Gagarin's early life, his historic flight and the fame that followed him until his untimely death in 1968.
The exhibition is FREE and can be viewed when attending performances or on the following open days (entry through Door 1):

Saturday 25 June 11am - 3pm
Saturday 2 July 10am - 2pm
Sunday 3 July 11am - 3pm

Visit during one of our open days and you could be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to BBC Proms in the Park, featuring Katherine Jenkins, Lang Lang and Westlife, on Saturday 10 September at 5.30pm.

The first man in space...and the man that put him there
Wine and talk evening, Elgar Room
Sunday 26 June, 6.30pm

Join science and cosmology writer Piers Bizony to find out more about the mysterious 'Chief Designer' who launched Yuri Gagarin into space fifty years ago, and what happened to the young space hero when he returned to earth. The evening also includes a private view of the exhibition.
Tickets are £10, including a glass of wine. Find out more and book online at www.royalalberthall.com or call the Box Office on
020 7589 8212.