History of British Space Science

This book documents how space science was started and encouraged to grow both nationally and internationally.

Harrie Massie (Author), M. O. Robins (Author)

9780521123389, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 November 2009

540 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.1 cm, 0.79 kg

This book documents how a complex branch of science was started and encouraged to grow both nationally and internationally, as seen through the eyes of two authors who together played a major role in many of the events that they describe. It traces the beginning and subsequent development of a space science programme for British scientists from the early 1950s to the early 1980s, and gives the scientific, technological and administrative background whilst highlighting some of the outstanding successes of the programme. Cooperation with NASA in the United States is described in some detail, and the part played by Britain in establishing European cooperation in space science is outlined, as is the more modest cooperative programme with Commonwealth countries. This historical account will be of interest to all space scientists, geophysicists and astronomers, as well as to those concerned with the administration and organisation of large, co-operative scientific programmes.

1. The scientific background
2. The technical background
3. The initiation of the Skylark rocket programme
4. Post IGY developments
5. The Ariel programme
6. The European Space Research Organisation
7. Commonwealth co-operation in space research
8. Smaller rockets for scientific purposes - Skua and Petrel
9. Attitude controlled Skylark rockets
10. The Trend Committee and the Science Research Council
11. The transformation of ESRO into ESA
12. The Space Science Committee for Europe
13. Scientific studies by British space scientists I
14. Scientific studies by British space scientists II
15. The contribution from British space scientists to astronomy
16. Concluding remarks
Appendices
Annexes.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]