Talk: Filton in Space – 65 Years and Counting
Winterbourne Medieval Barn
To coincide with World Space Week we are delighted to welcome Terry Ransome to The Barn to tell us the story of the local area’s involvement in design and building spacecraft.
Of the many achievements of the local aerospace industry, the spacecraft and satellites are perhaps not so well known. The British Aircraft Company, at Filton, entered the ‘space race’ in 1956, providing part of the first British rocket to reach space in November 1957, just a few weeks after Sputnik 1. The space business continued in the hands of British Aerospace and Matra Marconi Space until in 1999 it transferred elsewhere.
In that time though, over 60 spacecraft were launched with Filton designed and built hardware on board. For some, Filton’s contribution included final assembly and testing of the whole spacecraft.
Where did they all go, what did they do, and where are they now? Are any still working? Terry’s presentation tells the story.
About your speaker:
Terry started work there in 1970 and worked in the space industry for over 30 years – in Filton, Stevenage (Hertfordshire) and New Orleans, and took part in launches from Woomera (Australia), Cape Canaveral (USA) and Baikonur (Kazakhstan).
Terry is currently a Collections Research and Heritage Volunteers at Filton’s Aerospace Bristol Museum.
Refreshments available on arrival. Cash and card payments accepted.
Free parking on site. Parking for this event will be at the Barn, BS36 1SE.
