Capturing Space
In 1968 when Stanley Kubrick was filming 2001: A Space Odyssey he asked scientists to help him imagine the future. Among the scientists' proposals was a kind of phone that allowed you to see the person you were calling on a television monitor and sliding doors that only opened once they recognised your voice. Science has always influenced the depiction of space but is it equally true that science fiction writers, film-makers and artists have also influenced scientists in the design of space suits, space craft and even space stations? In a special edition of Click, a panel of experts explore the connections between the world of space exploration and art. Joining Gareth Mitchell and LJ Rich in the BBC Radio Theatre will be professor Sanjeev Gupta who remotely controls the Mars Rover from the computer at his desk, Catherine Allen on the transformative technology of virtual reality in capturing space, Robert Alexander who is helping Nasa make new discoveries by turning raw data into music, ESA's Mark McCaughrean who reflects on the impact of films such as Gravity and The Martian on our understanding of the challenges of space exploration, musician and animator Matthew Robins who brings his harmonium and shadow puppetry to the Radio Theatre to perform space songs. And, Click’s regular tech expert, Bill Thompson, will also proxy into the show from Italy. (Photo caption: Looking Up at Mars Rover Curiosity in 'Buckskin' Selfie © NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS) Producer: Colin Grant