Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Glossary of abbreviations in text and annexes
- Glossary of abbreviations in appendices
- Preface
- 1 The scientific background
- 2 The technical background
- 3 The initiation of the Skylark rocket programme – the IGY and artificial satellites
- 4 Post-IGY developments – NASA – COSPAR – British National Committee for Space Research – British satellite experiments
- 5 The Ariel programme
- 6 The European Space Research Organization
- 7 Commonwealth co-operation in space reseach
- 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 – figure of the earth and the neutral atmosphere
- 14 Scientific studies by British space scientists – the ionosphere, the magnetosphere and cosmic rays
- 15 The contribution from British space scientists to astronomy
- 16 Concluding remarks
- Appendices
- Annexes
- 1 Discussion on observations of the Russian artificial earth satellites and their analysis
- 2 Charter of COSPAR
- 3 UK participation in research with artificial satellites. Paper by H.S.W. Massey
- 4 Formal offer of international co-operation by the USA through COSPAR
- 5 Parliamentary statement about a British contribution to space research
- 6 Governmental exchange of notes between the UK and the USA on co-operation in space research
- 7 European space research meeting to initiate co-operation
- 8 Outline proposals by scientists for a co-operative European programme
- 9 Formal agreement setting up a Preparatory Commission
- 10 Financial protocol of the European Space Research Organization
- 11 Report on location of ESRO headquarters and establishments
- 12 Need for basic studies in support of space science. Statement by H.S.W. Massey
- 13 Memorandum of understanding between agencies of Pakistan, the UK and the USA
- 14 Attendance at the Williamsburg Conference, to consider the large space telescope project
- 15 Press release on the Williamsburg Conference
- 16 Provisional membership of the Standing Committee on Space Science
- 17 Terms of reference of the Standing Committee on Space Science
- Notes
- Index
3 - UK participation in research with artificial satellites. Paper by H.S.W. Massey
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Glossary of abbreviations in text and annexes
- Glossary of abbreviations in appendices
- Preface
- 1 The scientific background
- 2 The technical background
- 3 The initiation of the Skylark rocket programme – the IGY and artificial satellites
- 4 Post-IGY developments – NASA – COSPAR – British National Committee for Space Research – British satellite experiments
- 5 The Ariel programme
- 6 The European Space Research Organization
- 7 Commonwealth co-operation in space reseach
- 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 – figure of the earth and the neutral atmosphere
- 14 Scientific studies by British space scientists – the ionosphere, the magnetosphere and cosmic rays
- 15 The contribution from British space scientists to astronomy
- 16 Concluding remarks
- Appendices
- Annexes
- 1 Discussion on observations of the Russian artificial earth satellites and their analysis
- 2 Charter of COSPAR
- 3 UK participation in research with artificial satellites. Paper by H.S.W. Massey
- 4 Formal offer of international co-operation by the USA through COSPAR
- 5 Parliamentary statement about a British contribution to space research
- 6 Governmental exchange of notes between the UK and the USA on co-operation in space research
- 7 European space research meeting to initiate co-operation
- 8 Outline proposals by scientists for a co-operative European programme
- 9 Formal agreement setting up a Preparatory Commission
- 10 Financial protocol of the European Space Research Organization
- 11 Report on location of ESRO headquarters and establishments
- 12 Need for basic studies in support of space science. Statement by H.S.W. Massey
- 13 Memorandum of understanding between agencies of Pakistan, the UK and the USA
- 14 Attendance at the Williamsburg Conference, to consider the large space telescope project
- 15 Press release on the Williamsburg Conference
- 16 Provisional membership of the Standing Committee on Space Science
- 17 Terms of reference of the Standing Committee on Space Science
- Notes
- Index
Summary
The scientific value of research with artificial satellites
The scientific study of the upper atmosphere of the earth, the solar and lunar influences which affect its behaviour, and the immediate surroundings of the earth in interplanetary space has been proceeding for many years. This has included the investigation of pressure, density, temperature and wind distributions (atmospheric structure), the ionosphere, the airglow and aurora, atmospheric tides, magnetic variations due to circulating currents in the atmosphere or beyond, meteors, cosmic rays and solar disturbances.
In the first instance, this work was carried out exclusively by indirect methods based entirely on the use of equipment on the ground together, of course, with the maximum use of theory. Although remarkable progress has been made, there are certain properties and phenomena which cannot be studied in this way. The most important of many is the nature of the radiation from the sun before it has been modified by the atmosphere. Only a narrow spectrum range of sunlight penetrates to ground level and yet it is the absorbed radiation which is responsible for atmospheric phenomena, such as the ionosphere and the airglow. It is not only the electromagnetic radiation which needs to be studied but also the particle radiation which is responsible, for example, for auroral and magnetic storm phenomena.
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- Information
- History of British Space Science , pp. 455 - 461Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1986