Main content

Professor Colin Pillinger

Kirsty Young's castaway is scientist Professor Colin Pillinger.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the scientist Professor Colin Pillinger. A world-class planetary scientist, his first job was for NASA, analysing the lunar samples brought back by Apollo 11. He is best known, though, for being the public face of Beagle 2, the daring mission to search for life on Mars. Although Beagle 2 was unsuccessful, he is adamant that the mission was not a failure. Now it is hoped that the technology developed for the mission to Mars can be used to diagnose TB faster than has ever been possible before.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: As Time Goes By by Johnnie Ray
Book: Journey into Space by Charles Chilton
Luxury: A picture of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 30 Oct 2009 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Jan Pienkowski

Next

Jerry Springer

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Clips

See all clips from Professor Colin Pillinger (2)

Music Played

  • Elvis Presley vs Junkie XL

    A Little Less Conversation

    • Live a Little, Love a Little.
    • RCA.

  • Al Bowlly

    I'll String Along with You

    • Al Bowlly with Ray Noble & His Orchestra: The Dance Band Years.
    • Pulse.

  • Fat Les

    Jerusalem

    • Jerusalem - Fat Les 2000.
    • Parlophone.

  • Slade

    Darling Be Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Soon

    • Slade Alive!.
    • Polydor.

  • Nickelback

    If Today Was Your Last Day

    • Dark Horse.
    • Roadrunner.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Johnnie Ray

      As Time Goes By

      • The Best of Johnnie Ray.
      • Columbia.

  • The Rolling Stones

    Salt of the Earth

    • Beggars Banquet.
    • ABKCO.

  • Mercury Rev

    The Dark is Rising

    • All Is Dream.
    • V2.

  • Book Choice

    • Journey into Space - Charles Chilton

  • Luxury Choice

    • A picture of the Clifton Suspension Bridge

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Colin Pillinger

Broadcasts

  • Sun 25 Oct 2009 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 30 Oct 2009 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast