Show Notes
Britain’s space race efforts were bold but short-lived. Join historian Helen Antrobus for the tale of Britain’s space race. It’s the mid 1950’s and the height of the Cold War era. British engineers are working in secret at The Needles on the Isle of Wight, testing a nuclear deterrent, the Black Knight Rocket. But by the end of the 1960s the British rocket programme is under threat. Engineers have one last chance to get into space with the ambitious Black Arrow Rocket. Can Britain reach the stars or will it fail to launch?
[Ad] This podcast is sponsored by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company. Every image you capture tells a story. Discover ideas for curating your special memories and creating gifts for loved ones. From the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK to wall art made from your favourite photos. Start creating your story at www.cewe.co.uk
Production Presenter: Helen Antrobus Producer and sound designer: Nikki Ruck
Contributors Paul Carey Steve Berden Doug Millard
Cast Jesse Edbrooke – voice of Ray Wheeler In memory of Ray Wheeler 1927-2019 With thanks to NASA
Discover more Discover more about the secrets behind Highdown test site visit The New Battery at The Needles
Find out more about the history of Black Knight, Black Arrow and Prospero rockets Wight Aviation Museum
See the Black Arrow Rocket itself https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visit
Discover more podcasts https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/virtual-visit/podcasts#stories-about-nature-and-history
If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at [email protected]
More from Back When | History Podcast
Back When is wrapping up and we wanted to say a massive thank you for time travelling with us over all our stories.
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