Main content
This programme is not currently available

Kurt Vonnegut - Thanasphere

A pioneering astronaut hears voices in outer space. Kurt Vonnegut reflects on mortality and the Cold War. Read by Kerry Shale.

Major Allen Rice is the first American astronaut in space. His military mission is to report back weather conditions over enemy terrain. Lift off goes well and the spaceship settles into its orbit, with regular radio reports coming back to base.

But then, somehow the major hears a child crying. What happens next takes this pioneering mission in a direction no-one could have predicted...

American writer, Kurt Vonnuegut's delicious piece of sci-fi philosophy from the 1950's is read by Kerry Shale.

Producer: Joanne Lafferty

Made for BBC 7 and first broadcast in 2004.

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 24 Apr 201700:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Fri 16 Nov 200718:30
    BBC Radio 7
  • Sat 17 Nov 200700:30
    BBC Radio 7
  • Fri 29 Aug 200818:30
    BBC Radio 7
  • Sat 30 Aug 200800:30
    BBC Radio 7
  • Sat 10 Aug 201318:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 11 Aug 201300:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 16 Oct 201518:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 17 Oct 201500:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 23 Apr 201718:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 24 Apr 201700:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra