John Bonsor's Page

I Belong To:

United Kindom Rocketry Association

About Me:

Born May 1951. Life long interest in space exploration, astronomy and rocketry. Professional career: laboratory technician and later chemical engineer in the steel and chemical industries; technical work in dramatic theatre; academic publishing. Now involved in the applications of model rocketry in schools and public science education with my "Rockets To Go!" workshop programme, plus writing articles and working on a book project.
I am the Organiser of the annual International Rocket Week held in Scotland every August.
I am the Scottish Aeronautics & Rocketry Association (SARA) Co-ordinator.

My Website:

http://staar.rocketry.org.uk

My Interests:

Rocketry - model, hpr and water rockets - mostly scratch design and build for open and research flying. Aslo interested in full scale rocketry, astronautics, astronomy, aviation, Earth & environmental sciences and issues.
Recreational pastimes (as all of the above are more a way of life, particularly my rocketry activities) are, countryside and hill walking, camping, and reading widely. Aslo enjoy music - classical, jazz, rock, rock-jazz fusion, and folk.

Things I'd Like To Do:

Travel a lot more, particularly to New Zealand where most of my immediate family now are - my Dad was born there and I have NZ citezneship (although I was born in Scotland).
Learn to play a musical instrument - either the piano or classical guitar.
Fly into space - at least on a suborbital flight but for preference in a LEO flight. Beyond that - the Moon, Mars, the rest of the Solar System, the stars. Ideal method of gettng into space, at least for the suborbital flight would be on a rocket of my own desin and consruction.

People I'd Like To Meet:

Intersting list to think about - I will get bakc here about this.

I Can Provide Expertise On:

Again I will get back here.

Favorite Rockets:

ditto

Favorite Music:

ditto

Favorite TV Shows:

Dr. Who, Star Trek (all of the various series, although TOS retains its charm and nostalgia appeal), all of the Gerry Anderson productions - Fireball XL-5, Thunderbirds, etc. Any space, astronomy, science, or natural history documentaries.