Heritage Lectures 2024: Lovell's Spies - GCHQ and the Cold War

A brand-new series of Heritage Lectures in our Space Dome.

Discover hidden histories and surprising stories as leading scientists, archivists and historians reveal Jodrell Bank's 80-year tale of intrigue, resolve and radio waves.

During the operational phase of the Soviet probe launch of Sputnik 1, the British signals intelligence agency, GCHQ, deployed a member of staff to Jodrell Bank. Their role was to intercept transmissions from the spacecraft. As GCHQs relationship developed with Jodrell, further research focused on the launches of Soviet reconnaissance satellites, orbital weapons and space probes.

The GCHQ Historian, Dr David Abrutat, in his first ever public talk on the subject, will cover the fascinating Cold War history of GCHQ and the use of Jodrell Bank. This will include details on some recently revealed files retained at Rylands Library, closed by Sir Bernard Lovell at his death.