Science Beyond the Atmosphere - The History of Space Research in Europe - Proceedings of a Symposium

Sep 15, 2026

Proceedings from a symposium in Palermo (5–7 November 1992) present a critical historical review of European space science programmes within ESRO and ESA. The collection unites accounts from key participants and historians to examine how space scientists and governments viewed ESRO in the early 1960s, developments in solar and ionospheric research, and shifts from ESRO to ESA during transition years. Themes also include European cooperation and competition, national programmes, and major missions such as Ulysses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages230

Reading Time9 h 40 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Space science in ESRO and ESA: an overview

How space scientists and governments saw ESRO in the early 1960s

1960: how many European astronomers wanted a space telescope?

Solar research in the early days of COPERS and ESRO

Ionospheric research by rockets and satellites in Europe in the 1960s

The Astrophysical Panel and HELOS

Cooperation and competition: the European space science community and ESRO

The start of space research in Sweden during the COPERS and early ESRO years

ESA HSR-SPECIALJuly 1993 159S² 8%8ST1581195 Science beyond the atmosphere:The history of space research in Europe 9598-²、195?Proceedings of a symposiumheld in Palermo5-7 November 1992Edited by Arturo Russo(159;1 european space agency The ESA History Study Reports are preliminary reports of studies carried outwithin the framework of an ESA contract.As such they will form the basis of acomprehensive study of European Space activities covering the period 1959-87.The authors would welcome comments and criticism which should be sent tothem at the appropriate address below. The opinions and comments expressed and the conclusions reached are thoseof the authors,and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the Agency The ESA History Team comprises: Prof.M.De Maria,Dipartimento di Fisica,Università di Roma La Sapienza',Piazzale Aldo Moro,I-00185 Rome,Italy. Dr.J.Krige,Department of History and Civilization,European UniversityInstitute,Via dei Roccettini 9,I-50016 San Domenico di Fiesole,Italy. Prof.A.Russo,Istituto di Fisica,Università di Palermo,Via Archirafi 36,1-90123 Palermo.Italy. The project is based at the European University Institute,where the ESAarchives are also housed.John Krige is the Project Leader. This is a special issue,outside the normal ESA History Study Reports,but com-plementary to them. Published by:ESA Publications DivisionESTEC,Postbus 2992200 AG NoordwijkThe Netherlands # SCIENCE BEYOND THE ATMOSPHERE:THE HISTORY OF SPACE RESEARCH IN EUROPE Proceedings of a symposium held inPalermo,5-7 November 1992 Edited by Arturo Russo Table of contents Preface V Roger BonnetSpace science in ESRO and ESA:an overview 1 John Krige29How space scientists and governments saw ESRO in the early 1960s Marcel Golay411960:how many European astronomers wanted a space telescope? Cornelis de Jager57Solar research in the early days of COPERS and ESRO A.Peter Willmore 67Ionospheric research by rockets and satellites in Europe in the 1960s Constance DilworthThe Astrophysical Panel and HELOS 75 Arturo Russo 81Cooperation and competition:the European space science communityand ESRO Bengt Hultqvist 89The start of space research in Sweden during the COPERS and earlyESRO years,with personal recollections Jan Stiernstedt 107Personal recollections Michelangelo De Maria 113 Italy in space:Edoardo Amaldi and the take-off of the Italianspace programme Hendrik van de Hulst 125 Scizing opportunities:some comments on the Dutch national spaceprogrammc of the sixties and the seventies Hermann BondiCrisis and achievements:ESRO 1967-1971 139 Maurice Lévy143The ESRO scientific programme during the transition period 1971-1975 147 Reimar LüstFrom ESRO to ESA:some personal recollections 153 Gerhard Haerendel From sounding rockets to small satellites.A way of complementingESRO/ESA flight opportunities Karl Hufbauer 171 European space scientists and the genesis of the Ulysses mission,1965-1979 Martin HuberSolar system science for Horizon 2000 193 # Preface The papers comprising this collection were prepared for a symposium held in Palermo in earlyNovember 1992.The aim of the symposium,organized in the framework of the ESA HistoryProject,was to discuss critically the development of the scientific programmes of ESRO and ESAby bringing together some of the main protagonists of the history of space research in Europe and afew historians working in the field.The symposium was sponsored by the University of Palermo,the Italian National Research Council and the European Space Agency.A financial contributionwas also made by the Palermo bank Sicilcassa The meeting was a fruitful occasion to unite the liveliness of personal recollections with therigour of scholarly historical research.It also offered all participants the occasion for friendlydiscussions and social events,while enjoying the beatiful landscape of the beach of Palermo-Mondello.And,last but not least

FAQs

What is the purpose of the symposium described in the preface?

It was organized to discuss critically the development of the scientific programmes of ESRO and ESA by bringing together major protagonists and historians of European space research.

Which organizations are central to the symposium and the collection?

The proceedings focus on ESRO and ESA, with ESRO developments traced from its creation in the early 1960s and its transition toward ESA.

What kinds of contributions do the symposium papers include?

The papers combine personal recollections from participants with rigorous scholarly historical research, aiming to place topics within an agreed historic and thematic framework.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair