Britain's first Cold War Nuclear Attack Warning Station at Jodrell Bank (327)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 13 January 2024

⏱️ 94 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Jodrell Bank observatory in Cheshire in the UK played a significant secret role during the Cold War. It was established in 1945 by Bernard Lovell, a radio astronomer at the university, to investigate cosmic rays after his work on radar in the Second World War. We hear some intriguing details of the site’s Cold War roles including being Britain’s first nuclear attack early warning station and its signals intelligence collaboration with GCHQ, the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters. Even more surprisingly it’s also revealed how Soviet Scientists also worked at the site and that the Soviets attempted to get Bernard Lovell to defect during a visit to the Soviet Union. I’m given a tour of the non-public areas by Tim O'Brien who is a Professor of Astrophysics. Do make sure you check out the extensive photos I took at https://coldwarconversations.com/episode327/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 0:00 Introduction to the podcast 1:00 Jodrell Bank Observatory's role in the Cold War and its establishment 10:08 The birth and evolution of radio astronomy 15:50 The construction and purpose of the world's biggest radio telescope 32:46 The telescope's role during the Cuban missile crisis and its implications 51:05 The mission of GCHQ at Jodrell Bank and intercepting signals from the Soviet Union 1:04:21 Touring the secret tunnel and discussing its potential uses 1:14:51 Recounting the Soviet Luna 15 mission during the American moon landing and the role of Jodrell Bank 1:29:18 Episode extras and thanking financial supporters Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
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0:41.3	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place for first-hand Cold War history accounts.
0:47.4	And thanks to financial supporter Jack Wieselak for providing today's intro.
0:52.1	Make sure you hit that follow button in your podcast app so you don't miss out on future episodes.
0:59.0	The Judgerald Bank Observatory in Cheshire in the UK played a significant secret role during the Cold War.
1:06.7	It was established in 1945 by Bernard Lovell, a radio astronomer at Manchester University,
1:13.7	to investigate cosmic rays after his work on radar in the Second World War.
1:19.6	We hear some intriguing details of the site's Cold War roles,
1:24.0	including being Britain's first nuclear attack early warning station, and it signals
1:29.3	intelligence collaboration with GCHQ, the UK's government communications headquarters.
1:35.3	Even more surprisingly, it's also revealed how Soviet scientists also worked at the site,
1:42.3	and that the Soviets attempted to get Bernard Lovell to defect during a visit to the Soviet Union.
1:48.7	I'm given a tour of the non-public areas by Tim O'Brien, who's a professor of astrophysics. Do make sure you check out the extensive photos I took at cold warconversations.com slash episode 327.
2:04.3	I'm delighted to welcome Professor Tim O'Brien to our Cold War Conversation.
	...

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