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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0843.PDF
First artist's impression of Mariner B, designed for Martian exploration in (964. NASA say the capsule will search for life on Mars with TV cameras, microscopes and a device for detecting the reproduction of tiny organisms disarmament or as a separate arms-control measure. The problem of verification by the pre-launch inspection of payloads, without prejudicing national security, seems possible to solve. The Problems of Law and Order The space age represents a new dimension in international rela tions. Some steps have been taken to meet the challenge; others remain to be taken. Private organizations of scientists—especially the international Committee for Space Research (COSPAR)—have already taken praiseworthy initiatives in space co-operation. We endorse the efforts of non-governmental international scientific groups to pursue and expand programmes of co-operation in the many branches of space activities. The United Nations and its specialized agencies have now begun to grapple with the problems of law and order in space. We en dorse the principles, unanimously approved at the 1961 session of the UN General Assembly, that outer space and celestial bodies should be reserved for the betterment of mankind, free for explora tion by all, and not subject to national appropriation. Moreover, the principles of international law including the United Nations Charter apply to human activity in outer space. Specific problems urgently require international regulation in order that one nation's freedom of action shall not prejudice that of others. Some of these problems are already under study by appropriate international bodies; others should be promptly con sidered. We recommend particularly:— (a) provision of sufficient radio frequencies equitably and efficiently allocated for space communication and radio astronomy; ' (b) agreements codifying rules governing liability and redress for damage resulting from space-vehicle launching or re-entry, and for recovery and return of space vehicles and persons; (c) measures to avoid contamination of celestial bodies. The much-discussed question of fixing the upper limit of terri torial sovereignty (frequently referred to as the "boundary" between air space and outer space) is difficult to resolve at the present time. At a later date international agreements should define those upper limits and the various rights and responsibilities of nations. In the meantime the customary international law that is evolving about the uses of space should have the effect of enhancing the freedom of all without regard to nationality. There should be serious consideration of the possible necessity for a new institutional framework within the United Nations dealing with space activities on behalf of the international community. This will depend on technical and political events that are still unfolding. Meanwhile, the United Nations and its specialized agencies, including primarily the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), should intensify their planning, regulatory, and co-operative activi ties in the space field, under the aegis of the United Nations Com mittee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and within the principles that have been agreed to. European-American Co-operation The Western nations have common objectives in space explora tion and development. By intelligent foresight European and Ameri can programmes can be devised so as to reinforce each other. However, there is a great disparity of national effort, resources and teclinical experience between the two sides of the Atlantic. The United States, partly because of its special role in the maintenance of Western security, is working on a scale which has not been matched by Europe, though the European nations may well take a lead in particular scientific fields. FLIGHT International, 24 May 1962 841 The stimulus of fresh thought is important both for Europe and for the United States in the fields of scientific experimentation, research and development. This need is being met by the European Space Research Organization (ESRO) which comprises twelve European countries, and the European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO), now being established by six European countries and Australia. However, a new institutional framework may be required to co-ordinate European and American efforts. Fields in which close co-operation is desirable include:— (a) the training of scientists and technologists who will be needed in greatly increased numbers by the countries concerned; (b) joint tracking and data-analysis facilities; (c) the use of American launchers for European payloads; (d) the mutual granting of space contracts between American and European Anns. Joint ventures are already underway in the field of communica tions, although we recognize that commercial requirements and priorities may differ. Since this is a new field, it should be possible to develop techniques of co-operation that avoid the governmental rigidities or undue attention to special interests which have hampered other aspects of transatlantic co-operation in recent years. Co-operation within the free world involves Australia, Canada, Japan, and many other countries as well, who form part of the common effort and should be drawn into this network. Ours is a privileged generation. Man's adving mastery of space, which in our lifetime may plant his feet upon the Moon and set them on the road to Venus and to Mars, is but one aspect of his increasing domination of his environment. But there are many dangers and pitfalls to be met. Only by overcoming our Earth- bound failure to create a genuine community among the nations can we be confident about the momentous prospects that he ahead. Moreover, if our stature is to grow with our opportunity we must be prepared to re-examine many ideas that have survived from an earlier age. As Europeans and Americans, the descendants of generations of pioneering on the frontiers of knowledge and culture, we cannot deny our heritage. The American Assembly is a non-partisan, educational organiza tion which publishes books on United States policy and holds national, regional, state and municipal assemblies in the USA. The European-American outer-space conference at Brighton formed part of the 21st American Assembly programme, which began at Arden House, New York, last October. Other meetings on the same subject are to be held by the Assembly in San Francisco, Mississippi, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. Despite development difficulty with the oxygen I hydrogen RL-IO engine, and the explosion at S5sec of the first flight vehicle (now considered to have been the result of structural failure in the second stage), the Centaur programme is steadily forging ahead. In this photograph production upper stages are seen in the General Dynamics/Astronautics plant, where the Atlas first stage is also made. The second stage is 42ft long, and weighs 32,0001b when loaded with propellants
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