Page:Aeronautics and Astronautics Chronology 1915-1960.pdf/5



flight was demonstrated in nature by birds, winged insects, bate, and some squirrels. Men remained earthbound. The 20th century witnessed the birth of practical aviation and the profound impact which fight increasingly imposed upon the ways of mankind. The world has been shrunk in time-distance relationships by the ever-increasing speed, range, and utility of aircraft. Statesmen, scientists, artists, businessmen, and tourists acquired global wings. The art and science of war was revolutionized by airpower and military missilry, While aeronautical progress provided atmospheric stepping-stones, developments in rocket propulsion provided the means of placing manmade objects in space beyond the earth's atmosphere and effective gravitational force.

In the past three years, artificial satellites have been placed into orbit around the Earth and the Sun, Man is destined to follow his instrumented vehicles into space. By means of space vehicles, satellites, rocket-powered aircraft, and high-altitude balloons, the cataract of the earth's atmosphere has been removed for the first time from the eyes of scientists studying the universe. Revolutionary insight into physical and life science disciplines is afforded by investigation and study of the unearthly environment of space. This is the basic promise implicit in the potentialities of the scientific frontier in our time. Unforeseeable as well as predictable benefits for society on earth seem inevitable as a consequence of space exploration. Man's conquest of space presents a dramatic challenge. But we should be mindful of its historical evolution and its broadest implications.

SCOPE OF THE CHRONOLOGY

This volume is largely a response to repeated requests for basic historical information. It is intended to serve as a ready informational reference, one from whence more detailed historical analysis should proceed.

Perspective on the dynamic pace of science and technology in aeronautics and astronautics is also served by a chronicle of events over the years, Behind the major milestones in man's conquest of space are many not-well-known events. Much more historical analysis and IX