UCL and space heritage

About this lecture

UCL has been involved with space research since the 1950s, with the first rocket launch taking place in 1957.  Early instruments were launched on sounding rockets, such as the UK Skylark rockets. Since then, UCL's Department of Space and Climate Physics (known as the Mullard Space Science Laboratory) has gone on to develop major research and engineering programmes that have provided hardware for over 300 space missions since 1957 and been placed instruments in orbit around Earth, Mars, Venus, Saturn as well as visiting comets passing through the solar system. This talk will look at the history of UK space science from a UCL perspective, addressing the breadth of the space programme, its international reach and the work being done around space heritage. Ending with asking the question, how do we ensure the space sector recognises the value of looking after our space heritage?

Virtual event details

This virtual lecture will consist of a 45 minute presentation from Lucie Green, followed by a 15 minute Q&A chaired by Dr Josep Grau-Bove.

About the speaker

Lucie Green is a Professor of Physics and a Royal Society University Research Fellow based at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL’s Department of Space and Climate Physics, and studies activity in the atmosphere of our nearest star, the Sun. In particular, looking at immense magnetic fields in the Sun’s atmosphere which sporadically erupt into the Solar System. If these eruptions reach the Earth they can drive major space weather events. She is interested in how the magnetic configuration of the eruptions relates to geomagnetic activity and what this means for those living in the UK.

Lucie is very active in public engagement with science and regularly gives public talks as well as supporting her departmental public engagement programme. She sits on the Advisory Board for the Science Museum, is Chair of Governors of the UCL Academy and is Chief Stargazer at the Society for Popular Astronomy. Her first popular science book is called “15 Million Degrees: journey to the centre of the Sun”, which discusses the history and current activities in solar physics.