It's a space special this week as, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Sputnik 1 launch, we're joined by Dr Chris Welch from Kingston University's Spaceweb programme to discuss the past, present and future of the space race.
We look at the engineering and the politics behind the space race, ask whether it'll be governments or private industry that next makes it to the moon - and eat freeze-dried ice cream. Chris is speaking at the Royal Aeronautical Society this week called 'Sputnik: Fifty Years in Space'. For more details, head here .
Also in the show, we once again dip our toes into the murky waters of science and religion, and hear from John Hedley Brooke - a Distinguished Fellow at Durham University's Institute of Advanced Study and the former professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University - on Richard Dawkins, evolution, science and secularisation. We have the full interview as this week's Science Extra.
There's plenty more, too. As Halo 3 continues to break records, tech correspondent Bobbie Johnson lets us know how video games are being used in the fight against disease. Alok Jha describes a unique business opportunity for those who want to do their bit to combat global warming. And James Randerson hits the notes to explain why ladies do love a deep voice.
If you want to add your thoughts and opinions to any of these topics, post your comments below, or click back the Science Blog or our Facebook group for more.
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