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History of British Space Science

History of British Space Science

History of British Space Science

Harrie Massie
M. O. Robins
November 2009
Paperback
9780521123389
$69.99
USD
Paperback
Hardback

    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.

    Product details

    November 2009
    Paperback
    9780521123389
    540 pages
    229 × 152 × 31 mm
    0.79kg
    Available

    Table of Contents

    • 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.
      Authors
    • Harrie Massie
    • M. O. Robins