BBC Inside Science

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Podcasts

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

A weekly programme looking at the science that's changing our world.

A weekly programme that illuminates the mysteries and challenges the controversies behind the science that's changing our world.

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Inside Science: Rocket Launch Pollution

Rocket Launch Pollution

BBC Radio 4 - BBC Inside Science, Rocket Launch Pollution

Popping the bonnet on the environmental impacts of a rapidly growing space industry.

With space rockets increasing in size and launch frequency, Vic asks what the environmental impacts of a rapidly growing space industry might be?

Whilst the globe struggles to shift to green sustainable energy sources, one industry has its sights set solely on the stars. Space X just launched the biggest rocket the world’s ever seen, and it won’t be their last even if it did end its test flight with a bang. As we enter a new golden age of space travel, Vic asks Associate Professor in Physical Geography Dr Eloise Marais if we are paying enough attention to the environmental impacts posed by a rapidly growing space industry. 

Have viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms influenced humanity more than we know? Author of new book, Pathogenesis: How Germs Made History, Dr Jonathan Kennedy discusses how germs and disease have shaped human evolution, history and culture and what we can learn from the COVID pandemic.  

And from unconventional life in space to psychoactive spinning apes, Vic and BBC Climate Reporter Georgina Rannard bring you the best scientific stories from the past couple of weeks.  

Presenter: Victoria Gill 
Producer: Harrison Lewis 
Content Producer: Ella Hubber
BBC Inside Science is produced in collaboration with the Open University.

BBC Radio 4

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

BBC Inside Science

Rocket Launch Pollution

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4