Castrol on Mars podcast series
Tune in to our Castrol on Mars podcast for an extraordinary journey through environments that test human limits.
Castrol is proud to have been chosen by NASA
Castrol has worked in space for seven decades. Our space-grade lubricants have proven themselves in extreme environments during many landmark operations.
Much of what we do in space is similar to what we do here on Earth. We apply the same rigour, expertise, and ethos for all of our products no matter where they perform.
On 18 February 2021, NASA’s Perseverance Rover successfully landed on Mars, with Castrol's fluid in its veins and mechanisms. It's still going strong - performing 250 million miles away, in temperatures as low as minus 153°C.
Perseverance beamed the sounds of Mars to us. And it got us thinking; what are the most extreme and remote environments on our own planet?
We've spoken to some truly inspirational people who push themselves to their mental and physical limits. Working with machines in the extremes of land, sea and air - these technologies require similar Castrol products to those needed on Mars.
Listen to the podcast trailer
In this podcast series, these storytellers transport us to their worlds - from the darkest depths of the sea, to the middle of the desert - and beyond our stratosphere. Thanks to all who contributed, and we hope you enjoy listening.
Podcast Series
7 minutes of terror... a special episode
Professor Briony Hogan and Dame Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock venture to the dusty surface of the mighty Red Planet, recounting the groundbreaking missions that have successfully landed robots on Mars.
Find out more about this episode's storytellers below.
Storyteller
Professor Briony Hogan
Briony Horgan is a Professor of Planetary Science at Purdue University who studies the geology of Mars and the Moon using data from satellites and rovers. She is a member of the science team for NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover mission.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
The Mars 2020 science team, I can't imagine exploring Mars without them!
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Pacific NW salmon, NY bagels, Arizona green chile tamales, and Indiana sweet corn to remind me of all the wonderful places I've lived on Earth.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen, my group's unofficial anthem that my students always blast while driving to our Mars analog field sites.
Storyteller
Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Dame Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a renowned British space scientist, author and educator. She is celebrated for her contributions to space science and her unwavering commitment to inspiring young minds, working with several educational institutions to promote the study of STEM subjects. She was awarded with an MBE in 2009 for her services to science and science education.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
My travel partner to Mars would definitely be my daughter. We’ve promised to make the trip already. She’s 14 at the moment, so we’ll have to wait a few years!
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
My favourite food on earth is a Nigerian dish called Dodo, which is fried plantain. I think it would travel reasonably well, so I think that’s probably a good bet!
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
For an epic journey of this proportion, I think it would have to be Jamiroquai. Something like ‘Corner of the Earth’, for the irony of being on Mars!
Episode 1 - “Witnessing a Martian sunset”
The Mars Rover is on a mission to answer the most profound question of all time. But what is Perseverance really up against?
Find out more about this episode's storytellers below.
Episode 1’s storyteller
Dirk Schulze-Makuch
Dirk Schulze-Makuch is a Professor of Planetary Habitability and Astrobiology at the Technical University Berlin, Germany. He has written 10 books and over 200 articles in this research area. He is particularly intrigued by extreme environments and the exploration of life on other planets.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
The family, but they wouldn´t be excited about it.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Strawberry shortcake with lots of ice cream.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
'If I feel good Spacer' by Sheila and B. Devotion, and if I´m a bit down 'Major Tom' by David Bowie.
Episode 1’s storyteller
Sarah Cruddas
Sarah is a space journalist, international TV host and award-winning author. She is passionate about all things space. Her ultimate aim is to spread the message of why space exploration matters, the milestones which have passed and what will be achieved in the future.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
Great question. Probably an expert in horticulture - I mean we’ve all seen The Martian!
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Salmon sashimi, steak, French fries, strawberry ice cream - and probably some salad and vegetables!
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
I mean if you’re going to Mars it’s got to be 'Life on Mars' by David Bowie.
Episode 1’s storyteller
Matthew Bothwell
Matt is the public astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge. He regularly writes and lectures on astronomy, making it accessible to all. He is the author of “The Invisible Universe: Why There’s More to Reality than Meets the Eye” (2021).
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
Hmm, good question. I think it would be fun to take my cat, Robert. If only because he’d look hilarious in a spacesuit.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
It would have to be something long-life to survive the journey. It’s not food per se, but I think I’d go with Oatly Barista milk, so I wouldn’t be deprived of cups of tea in space.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
It has to be David Bowie, right?
Episode 1’s storyteller
Jennifer Campbell
Jennifer Campbell is a National Account Manager at Castrol. Jennifer has worked at Castrol for 27 years - starting as a part-time lab technician whilst doing her Chemistry degree.
If you could visit Mars, what would you take with you?
A camera to take videos and pictures.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Pizza and Diet Coke.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
'Starman' by David Bowie.
Episode 2 - “I've never returned home”
Astronauts Sandra Magnus and Dr. Robert Thirsk describe their time in one of the most challenging environments of all.
Find out more about this episode's storytellers below.
Episode 2’s storyteller
Sandra Magnus
Sandra Magnus is an engineer and a former NASA astronaut. Sandra has completed 3 missions and spent a total of 157 days in space.
Episode 2’s storyteller
Dr Robert Thirsk
Dr Robert Thirsk holds the Canadian record for the longest time spent in space (204 days, 18 hours, and 29 minutes). When he was first selected to be one of the first six Canadian astronauts, he was working as a doctor at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Montreal.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
The Mars mission will be particularly daunting, long and confining. I would take my ISS Expedition 20 crewmates with me. We were a visionary, capable and sociable team, that excelled in challenging situations, and looked out for each other's well-being.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Space food needs to be nutritious and flavourful. I would bring shrimp gumbo - it has a spicy kick and contains plenty of protein and veggies.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
Holst: 'The Planets' has a special meaning to me. It was the music playing in the background of my apartment when I received a phone call from the Canadian government informing me that I had just been selected as an astronaut. The music has a mysterious and eccentric sound that I love.
Episode 3 - “When the helmet goes on”
In the cockpit, one mission - to win. Formula E’s Sam Bird and World Rally’s Gus Greensmith describe their worlds from behind the visor.
Find out more about this episode's storytellers below.
Episode 3’s storyteller
Sam Bird
Sam Bird is a racing driver for the Jaguar TCS Racing Team. He competes in the all-electric FIA ABB Formula E Championship. He’s one of the longest-standing drivers in the championship, with 11 wins under his belt.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
There are a couple of people that I’d take, and I’ll explain why. I would take Will Smith because he fought the aliens, and he won. I would take Paul, from the film Paul, because he seems like a friendly alien. He kind of likes to kick back and have some fun, and maybe he could show me around. And maybe I’d take my dogs because you know, I think they’d have fun as well.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
If I had to take food to Mars, and they couldn’t recreate a stone-baked pizza, then for sure I would need a pizza oven. That’s what I would need to be having for sure because I’ve heard that pizza on Mars is great.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
Do you know what? I’d probably just listen to the entire Ricky Gervais show podcast with Karl Pilkington from start to finish again, and again, and again - because the conversations are incredible, and you can lose track of time. That’s what I tend to listen to on long journeys. I’ve listened to them all hundreds of times, yet I can still re-listen to them all over again and do it for hours on end. So long journey, that’s what to do.
Episode 3’s storyteller
Gus Greensmith
Gus Greensmith is a World Rally Car driver for the M-Sport Ford rally team. Having gained his first stage win at Rallye Monte-Carlo in January 2022, he’s a young and ambitious driver with a bright future ahead.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
If I had to choose a friend I would take to Mars, I’d have to choose my best friend Chester because it’s quite a long way, so I assume I’m going to want some chatter along the way and maybe a few beers before we get there. So, that would be the idea.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Food… something that you’re never going to get bored of, so that’s pretty easy for me. That’s pizza, a lot of pizza. I might be a bit too heavy to land, but I don’t think gravity is quite as heavy over there as it is on Earth.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
A song would probably be 'On the Luna' by Foals because I would say that’s quite fitting.
Episode 4 - “Making a cup of tea” 300 ft in the sky
Richard Smith has a head for heights - he travels to the remotest locations, battles high winds, torrential rain and choppy waters, all against the clock to make sure the blades of the turbine keep spinning.
Find out more about this episode's storyteller below.
Episode 4’s storyteller
Richard Smith
Richard Smith is a principle mechanical engineer for ONYX. Working on and repairing wind turbines has taken him all over the world and often to the remotest of places - the job certainly requires sea legs and a head for heights!
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
That could be a bear trap! Someone capable that didn’t need a committee before they made a decision.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Tea bags & KitKats.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
Anything sung by Bon Scott.
Episode 5 - “A giant playground of robots”
From first fill to a fusion reactor, in this podcast, we hear how robots are playing a crucial role in helping us to reach some of the most extreme and dangerous places on Earth.
Find out more about this episode's storytellers below.
Episode 5’s storyteller
Faiz Rahman
Faiz Rahman is a graduate mechatronics engineer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). He's currently working in Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) where robotics are used as a way of solving problems within difficult environments, without the risk of endangering anyone.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
SPOT the Dog (won’t need to take up human resources but can be equipped to do cool science stuff).
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Nasi Kerabu (a Malaysian traditional dish).
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
'Never Gonna Give You Up' - Rick Astley (because of course).
Episode 5’s storyteller
Sarah Griffiths
Sarah Griffiths is a Remote Handling Design Engineer at ITER, the world's largest fusion experiment. This multi-national project is based in Southern France where the world's largest tokamak is currently being built, in a bid to produce net energy.
Episode 5’s storyteller
Alan Liu
Alan Liu is an engineer at KUKA in Shanghai. He works with robots on a daily basis and is responsible for maintaining them and fixing any technical issues. KUKA was founded in 1898 and is a global leader in the supply of intelligent automation solutions. This includes all kinds of industrial robots, from automotive to healthcare.
Episode 6 - “A stingray of bad attitude”
Working under pressure takes on a whole new meaning when you're a saturation diver. Shannon Hovey transports us to an alien world, at the bottom of the ocean floor.
Find out more about this episode's storytellers below.
Episode 6’s storyteller
Jan Robert Holen
Jan Robert Holen is an Account Manager at Castrol working in the Energy sector. He has been with Castrol for the last 14 years, and started his career in the Marine sector, ensuring vessels around the world received supplies of Castrol engine oils, cylinder oils and greases. Around 2012, his focus shifted to the Energy sector, where he supported sales activities in the UK and the Nordics. He then became an Account Manager in 2016, responsible for overseeing Operators and OEMs using Castrol products in the Nordics, and later also in the UK.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
My wife and three kids, of course.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Chicken tikka masala.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
'For the way there, GnR's Rocket Queen', and Led Zeppelin’s 'Stairway to Heaven', while for the way home, certainly Erik Satie's ‘Gymnopédie No.1'.
Episode 6’s storyteller
Shannon Hovey
Shannon Hovey is an offshore commercial saturation diver. He dives to depths of nearly 800 feet in oceans around the world, repairing and installing oil and gas fixtures. Working at those kind of depths means remaining in a contained, pressurised system until the work is completed, which can take anything from 30 to 60 days. He believes being a diver has comparisons to being an astronaut - the eery silence of the ocean floor is very similar to space.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
I would probably take my dad.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Smoked anything.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
The band ‘It Came from Outer Space’, ‘The Gods of Macho’ and anything created by Bill Laswell.
Episode 7 -“It speaks through the steering wheel”
There are challenging journeys being made every day that many of us take for granted. Mohammed Sadiq describes his relationship with the desert, his family, and his truck; the machine he depends on for survival.
Find out more about this episode's storyteller below.
Episode 7’s storyteller
Mohammed Sadiq
Mohammed Sadiq has over 42 years of experience as a truck driver. He covers thousands of miles in his trusty truck, in both night and day and in all weathers.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
I would go with my wife.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
Nihari & Haleem (traditional Pakistani & Arabic food).
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
Old Urdu Ghazals.
Episode 8 - “Inside out”
David Eyton, bp's former head of innovation and engineering, gives us his perspective on the challenges faced by engineers and scientists, the role robots will play in our future, and what it takes to perform under some of our planet's most extreme conditions on land, sea, and air.
Find out more about this episode's storyteller below.
Episode 8’s storyteller
David Eyton
David Eyton is the former head of innovation & engineering at bp. His varied career at bp has spanned over 40 years, and he was awarded a CBE for his contributions to engineering and energy in the UK.
If you could visit Mars, who would you take with you?
Albert Einstein.
If you could bring your favourite food with you, what would it be?
A salad.
If you could soundtrack your journey to Mars, what would you listen to?
Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'.
Bonus track - “Sounds of Mars - wind remix”
We were so inspired by hearing the sounds of Mars - recorded by NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover - we wanted to share this remix with you. Get those headphones on and enjoy our bonus track!
