Professor Sir Martin Sweeting: TV, time travel and Tibetan adventures
Surrey alumnus Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, space pioneer, and founder of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, has spent his career looking to the stars. But how does he unwind here on Earth?
Professor Sir Martin Sweeting with satellites at Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
What are your go-to TV shows?
I don’t watch much TV, but Friends has always been a favourite – it’s perfect for switching off. I also enjoyed The Big Bang Theory (maybe a bit close to home!) and recently got hooked on Friday Night Dinner. Excruciating, but compulsively funny.
Is there a book you’ve always meant to read?
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I loved the BBC audio version so much that I’ve hesitated to read the book. If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d take the audio version without question.
Do you have a favourite book?
Arthur C. Clarke’s short stories. I read them as a teenager, and they really made me think about the future and space. Leading a Royal Society study on ‘Preparing for Space in 2075’ reminded me of Clarke’s vision – it felt like coming full circle.
What’s your taste in music?
Pretty eclectic: Queen, Handel’s Messiah, and Tibetan chant. So that spans rock, classical, and something meditative.
What do you do for fun outside work?
I’m a radio amateur – I love building equipment and experimenting with shortwave. It feels like relaxed research. I also enjoy cycling, especially in adventurous places. My most memorable trip was in Ladakh, in the Himalayas, where I cycled up to 6,000 metres. That was extraordinary. I’ve long been fascinated by Tibet and have visited Lhasa several times.
If we gave you a time machine, where would you go?
I’d travel to the end of this century to see where humanity stands. Have we discovered life beyond Earth? Have we come together to solve global problems? I hope technology like AI has been used responsibly, and that we’ve tackled environmental and social challenges. Ideally, we’ll be more united, thoughtful, and cooperative – a world where discovery inspires us to care more for each other and our planet.
This interview was originally featured in Forever Surrey, the magazine for alumni, supporters and friends. Sign up to receive the next edition.
