Publisher's Synopsis
This book reproduces a truly fascinating chronology of space events from 1686 through 1961, compiled by famous space historian Dr. Charles Sheldon II for Congress. Developments in the American and Soviet space program are well covered, as are statements from scientists and some rather wild claims by the Soviets. It provides a treasure trove of information about this important early era of satellite, rockets, and spaceflight. The introduction notes: As the world moves visibly into what is popularly called the "space age," events are piling up so fast that soon the path down which we have come will be quite obscured by the continuing flood of news. It is instructive to step back sufficiently for some small perspective which a chronology of the nature reported here permits. It would be valuable to assess the relative importance of different contributions in science, technology, and public policy which have brought us to our present levels of achievement. But this is a job which must be left to the full-time researcher in a more cloistered atmosphere than that of a Congressional office. The goal of the listing contained in this report is relatively modest. It is intended as a handy reference for the non-specialist to some of the significant events in both missilery and astronautics. Several categories of information have been covered. Dates of important launchings have been included, and wherever available, the contemporary information has been cross-checked against later information on performance and characteristics to permit refinements and corrections. Included are all known satellite and deep space probe efforts. A second category of information includes key administrative decisions and directives important to either the organization or the pursuit of space progress. Because of our legislative responsibilities in this committee, a special effort has been made to record all major reports, legislation, and organizational steps in the Congress which relate to space. A third category of information is more subjective in character. Enough statements of future plans, predictions of progress, and policy views have been included to give more insight into trends than a listing of physical events alone would provide. Such a tabulation of policy views and predictions cannot be complete, but it is indicative of trends. A fourth category represents a catchall of announcements of discoveries, issuances of key books and reports, and even a few birthdays that have some bearing on space.
