I couldn’t really see an appropriate forum for this, but thought it was worth flagging up:
BBC News Online’s published a guide to Build your own Sputnik in a biscuit tin.
Featuring a Tomy Baby Monitor (should they be recommending brands?) a balloon, a mercury thermometer and tin foil (but a disappointing zero quantity of sticky-backed plastic and washing-up liquid bottles), they say:
Do you fancy building you own Sputnik? We’ve given you an idea how easy it could be, now the Magazine wants to hear from willing volunteers. We can even come and film you putting it together. We’ll also investigate how to get your Sputniks launched.
I’m surprised the Beeb’s health and safety folks approved something involving small children and flying objects containing mercury and glass! Sounds like an opening scene in ‘Casualty’.
Where’s the small children? Or are they needed to make the signal noise back to Earth?
It just said “baby monitor” – no need to send the baby!
But who will send the messages back to Earth? :o)
Oh, its all getting a bit 2001!