Helen Sharman, the first British person in space and a pioneering chemist, shares her incredible journey into outer space. She talks about the whimsical side of astronaut training and the quirky role of animals like tortoises in space missions. With a humorous nod to bizarre fashion trends, the conversation touches on the vital role women played in making Apollo spacesuits. Lastly, the logistics of enjoying ice cream in zero gravity spark laughter as Helen reflects on life aboard the International Space Station.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Animal Astronauts
In 1783, King Louis XVI wanted to test untethered hot air balloon flight but refused human trials.
A sheep, chicken, and duck were sent up; the sheep represented humans, the chicken a bird fearing heights, and the duck one at ease with heights.
question_answer ANECDOTE
More Animal Astronauts
Post-WWII, various space programs continued using animals for testing.
In 1963, France sent Félicette the cat into orbit, and in 1968, tortoises orbited the moon.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Tortoises and Spacesuits
Early animal missions revealed the need for pressurized spacesuits.
Dara Ó Briain shares how he hibernates his pet tortoise, Shelby, in the refrigerator.
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In this episode, Dara and Isy are joined by the astronaut Helen Sharman to learn about how humans learned to survive in space - with some diverting conversations about glitter, cat statues, hibernation, and shell suits.
What? Seriously?? is a new podcast which combines comedy with quirky history, hosted by Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie, who will unravel an extraordinary real-life tale each week with the help of a celebrity guest
Dara and Isy unearth stories that are definitely true, but also kind of unbelievable at the same time - the sort of stories that make you go ‘What? Seriously??’ when you hear them, but you resolve to tell them in the pub the first chance you get. The twist is that Dara and Isy have absolutely no idea how these strange-but-true tales will unfold and we’ll all be trying to figure it out together – or Dara and Isy will just go off on funny flights of fancy that are tangentially related to the story. They will be drip-fed the nuggets of narrative by a special guest expert who might just know something about the subject.
Across the series they will be joined by I’m A Celeb winner Georgia Toffolo, the Aussie comedian Rhys Nicholson, the broadcaster Stuart Maconie, Master Chef star Louisa Ellis, Miles from The Traitors, the comedian Richard Herring, the astronaut Helen Sharman, and Slow Horses star Chris Chung.
‘What? Seriously??’ with Dara Ó Briain and Isy Suttie and special guest Helen Sharman.
Format co-developed by Dan Page. Story compiled by Gareth Edwards and Dan Page.
Producer: Laura Grimshaw
Executive Producer: Jon Holmes
An unusual production for BBC Radio 4
Comedy of the Week 