logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
11m 51s

The First Man in Space

The Retrospectors
About this episode
Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin left Kazakhstan for space on 12th April, 1961 - the first human to venture beyond the confines of Earth's atmosphere. As the rocket roared into the sky, Gagarin's now-famous exclamation of "Poyekhali!" ("Let's go!") echoed through the cockpit. Despite the anticipation surrounding Gagarin's historic flight, the actual experience ... Show More
Up next
Today
Comstock's War On Obscenity
Sending rude mail was dealt a devastating blow on 3rd March, 1873, when the campaign against pornography, reproductive health, birth control, and abortion led by self-appointed ‘Special Agent’ of the US Postal Service Anthony Comstock went all the way to Washington. After the ‘Co ... Show More
11m 58s
Yesterday
It's King Kong!
King Kong roared onto the silver screen on March 2nd, 1933, in an extraordinary simultaneous screening at Radio City and the Roxy, New York - attracting 10,000 viewers in one hit. The buzz around the film was no accident — RKO Pictures had blitzed the public with an aggressive ma ... Show More
11m 32s
Feb 27
Unmasking Mardi Gras
New Orleans witnessed its first modern Mardi Gras procession - kick-started by a group of students eager to revive the traditional masquerade, banned for six decades - on 27th February, 1827. The city’s parades and revelry can trace their origins back to ancient pagan festivals a ... Show More
12m 5s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
The First American in Space
<p>In Spring 1961, the Space Race between the US and Soviet Union was well underway. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person in Space in April and the Americans knew his achievement had to be matched. Alan Shepard was chosen as the man for the job. Jay Gallentine t ... Show More
40m 50s
Apr 2021
Gagarin and the lost Moon
On 12 April 1961, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became an explorer like none other before him, going faster and further than any human in history, into what had always been the impenetrable and infinite unknown.Raised in poverty during the Second World War, the one-time foundry worker a ... Show More
57m 41s
Sep 2023
The Infinite Monkey’s Guide To... Space Travel
Astronauts and explorers including Brian Blessed, Sir Patrick Stewart, Nicole Stott and Charlie Duke reveal the wonders, and challenges, of traveling into space.Brian Cox and Robin Ince have delved into the Monkey Cage back catalogue to hear from astronauts and some very well kno ... Show More
20m 40s
Feb 2024
The Space Race: Honoring the first African-American space explorers
<p>This week on Planetary Radio, we take a peek behind the scenes at National Geographic's new documentary, “The Space Race,” which celebrates the triumphs and struggles of the first African-American space pioneers and astronauts. Co-directors Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Lisa Co ... Show More
1h 3m
Dec 2022
Start of the Space Race
<p>Space historian Jay Gallentine tells Don how World War 2 weapons paved the way for space rockets, igniting a space race between the USA and the USSR that would see the first projectiles, satellites and people leave Earth’s atmosphere.</p><br><p>Produced by Benjie Guy. Mixed by ... Show More
40m 4s
Sep 2020
Space Junk
<p>Outer space is crowded. Satellites, pieces of rocket, and stuff that astronauts left behind, such as cameras and poop, are just floating around. This space junk can pose a threat to our communication systems.</p> <p>In this episode we talk with Lisa Ruth Rand, a fellow at the ... Show More
58m 5s
Aug 2021
The Next Astronauts Prologue
In How it Happened: The Next Astronauts, Axios space reporter Miriam Kramer follows the first space flight to orbit without professional astronauts. Kramer will take listeners inside the story of the Inspiration4 mission, which SpaceX aims to launch on September 15. The podcast w ... Show More
8m 15s
Feb 2023
Introducing: The Last Soviet
<p><strong><em>Hey, Stuff You Missed In History Class listeners!</em></strong> The newest hit docuseries of another star-studded podcast, The Last Soviet is live. Go check out the beginning of this thrilling journey with Lance Bass, NSync Superstar, and Russian-trained astronaut! ... Show More
3m 46s