Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item
3ZB interview with New Zealand born rocket scientist Dr William Pickering, former Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Dr Pickering is interviewed while on a visit back to New Zealand.
The interview opens with Pickering and the radio announcer talking about Pickering having received poor marks for science while at Wellington College. They then discuss the development of the 'space race' during the Cold War, and the scientific spin-offs that came from it. Pickering gives examples such as the modern computer, and also development in the quality, reliability, and complexity of scientific builds. He says management of massive scientific projects has also advanced thanks to the space race - the co-ordination of people and organisations all coming together to make things work for the space programme at the right time.
Dr Pickering goes on to speak about the transistor, and also developments with satellites and the Space Shuttle programme. He describes the relatively simple communication system set up for the launch of the first United States satellite, saying it was a lot simpler than what he has before him in the radio studio.
In the second part of the interview, Dr Pickering gives his views on the possible militarisation of space. He talks about the two treaties keeping space development peaceful - preventing weapons of mass destruction in space, and preventing interference with reconnaissance satellites. He speaks further about military use of satellites, and the potential development of anti-satellite and high-powered laser weapons. The announcer and Dr Pickering then discuss science fiction (referring to Star Wars and Jules Verne), and whether space travel and eventual colonisation is feasible.
The interview concludes with Dr Pickering commenting on the future of the space programme, with more people going into space, and permanently manned space stations.