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Great British Lift Off

16 Jul 2021 • 5 minute read

Interviews with astronauts and scientists that reveal the incredible space innovation going on in Scotland and the UK.

Dr Murray Collins, space lead at the Bayes Centre in Edinburgh, and broadcaster Kim McAllister return for their third space podcast series - and this time they're starting on the International Space Station.

Listen to the Great British Lift Off podcast

Following the success of "Edinburgh: Space Data Capital" and "Scotland's Secret Space Race" podcast series, broadcaster Kim McAllister and space expert Dr Murray Collins are back for an action-packed third series, with conversations starting off from the International Space Station. 

Hear from astronauts, space experts, decision-makers, innovators and entrepreneurs with real insight on what's happening in the space industry here in Scotland, the UK and beyond. From creating jobs and boosting the economy to finding solutions to address climate change...sit back and tune in. 

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (5 May 2021) opens in a new window  

Following the huge success of their first two series - Edinburgh: Space Data Capital and Scotland's Secret Space Race, Kim McAllister and Dr Murray Collins are back and this time they're going UK-wide.

They begin with a big bang - a live link to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Both Kim and Murray were key players in the project which brought schools from Scotland, Ecuador and Houston, Texas together to ask Shannon Walker and Kate Rubins questions about life aboard the International Space Station.

Also in this episode, they chat to astronaut Greg Johnson and Director of the Rice Space Institute, Professor David Alexander.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (27 May 2021) opens in a new window  

Astronaut Tim Peake has inspired many Brits and space fans across the world - but the UK didn't support human space flight until 2010.

In this episode, broadcaster Kim McAllister and space expert Dr Murray Collins talk to Lord David Willetts, arguably the architect of the UK space industry.

While in government as the Minister for Science, Lord Willetts renegotiated the UK's role in the European Space Agency - over breakfast in Naples! Listen to hear the full story.

The UK's new focus on space from 2010 also led to the establishment of incubation centres for space-related startups. So, Kim and Murray spoke to Delyth Lloyd Edwards, business development manager at the European Space Agency's Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs) to find out how companies are supported across the UK.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (3 June 2021) opens in a new window  

Is there anybody out there?

Broadcaster Kim McAllister and space expert Dr Murray Collins talk to two of the architects of the James Webb Space Telescope, Professor Gillian Wright and Professor Jim Dunlop, to understand how this next generation telescope will see back almost to the Big Bang itself...

Professor Gillian Wright is the Director of the UK Astronomy Technology Centre and Professor Jim Dunlop is Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (10 June 2021) opens in a new window  

It's always fun to go back to where it all began.

Sir Martin Sweeting had no idea he was kick-starting an entire industry when he launched a small satellite in the early 80s.

The founder of Surrey Satellites - and first employer of Craig Clark MBE who went on to found Clyde Space and start the Scottish space industry - chats to Kim McAllister and Dr Murray Collins about his incredible career.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (17 June 2021) opens in a new window  

In 2010 Murray was starting his PhD, Kim was starting a company and the UK Space Agency was launched.

Dr Alice Bunn explains how the priorities of the UK Space Agency developed over the years and some of the hurdles they had to navigate.

Dr Carolyn Atkins also joins Dr Murray Collins and Kim McAllister to explain how she proved NASA wrong and showed you could use 3D-printing to create mirrors for telescopes.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (24 June 2021) opens in a new window  

The human race is making another mess - this time it's in orbit.

Broadcaster Kim McAllister and space expert Dr Murray Collins discuss the issue of space junk with experts whose work is suffering and with the entrepreneurs who are trying to solve the problem.

Andy Lawrence is Regius Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh and author of the book "Losing the Sky", detailing the problems of space junk.

Harriet Brettle is Head of Business Analysis at Astroscale UK, where they are testing technology to remove space debris. Ralph 'Dinz' Dinsley is founder of NORSS (Northern Space & Security Ltd) and surveying the sky to categorise the junk.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (1 July 2021) opens in a new window  

If you've ever wondered how space data might help your company, here are the answers.

Broadcaster Kim McAllister and space expert Dr Murray Collins chat to a European Space Agency ambassador, a space cluster manager and a project lead at an exciting space company.

Alan Cross can help companies apply for space agency funding, Dr Joanna Hart fosters the ecosystem in Harwell and Sonali Mohapatra is fresh from her PhD on the physics of black holes to develop quantum technologies at Craft Prospect.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (7 July 2021) opens in a new window  

Elodie Viau is the only female Director at the European Space Agency (ESA) - she looks after Telecommunications and Integrated Applications and is also Head of ECSAT (European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications)

She talks to broadcaster Kim McAllister and space expert Dr Murray Collins about the Moonlight Programme and how ESA is planning to support missions to the Moon and Mars.

Listen to the podcast on Buzzsprout (15 July 2021) opens in a new window  

This podcast series was recorded with thanks to the Data Driven Innovation Programme opens in a new window  and the Science and Technology Facilities Council opens in a new window  (part of UKRI) - first published on buzzsprout

If you enjoyed this series, you might like to listen to our earlier podcasts:

Edinburgh: Space Data Capital 

Scotland's Secret Space Race 

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