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The Life Scientific: Episode 89: Matt Taylor on the Rosetta space mission

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Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Matt Taylor

Episode 89

Episode 89: Matt Taylor on the Rosetta space mission

Matt Taylor on the Rosetta space mission

BBC Radio 4 - The Life Scientific, Matt Taylor on the Rosetta space mission

Matt Taylor talks to Jim Al-Khalili about the Rosetta comet mission.

Matt Taylor tells Jim Al-Khalili why the Rosetta space mission is the 'sexiest thing alive' and why he had an image of the robot landing on comet 67P tattooed on his thigh.

Matt Taylor talks to Jim Al-Khalili about being in charge of the Rosetta space mission to the distant comet, 67P. It is, he says, 'the sexiest thing alive', after his wife. He describes his joy when, after travelling for ten years and covering four billion miles, the robot, Philae landed on the speeding comet 67P; and turned the image tattooed on his thigh from wishful thinking into a triumph for science. Matt's father, a builder, encouraged him to do well at school. He wanted him to get a job in science and Matt didn't disappoint, joining the European Space Agency in June 2005. His charm and exuberance have brought competing teams together as they fight for their science to have priority on Rosetta. His enthusiasm has helped to spark and fuel a global interest in the mission and he deeply regrets his choice of shirt on one occasion. 

Producer: Anna Buckley.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future

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Episode 89: Matt Taylor on the Rosetta space mission

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