Astronautics

The term astronautics and space technology (English Astronautics and related Astronautical Engineering ) encompasses the disciplines of science and technology - especially of mechanical engineering and materials science - which are the prerequisite of successful space flight and exploration of the upper atmosphere. Specifically, the Astronautics primarily concerned with the design, construction and operation of rockets and their payloads (satellites, space probes and associated instruments). You may also be understood as a term of missile and satellite technology.

Coinage and Astronautical Federation

" Astronautics " is composed of the Latin astrum, the star, and the Greek nautike, the shipping customer. The term was coined in the early 1950s, when they started in the Soviet Union and the United States to use the then developed ICBMs also for the exploration of near-Earth space.

Founded in 1952, The International Astronautical Federation (International Astronautical Federation, IAF) understood at that time as future-oriented, based on new technologies, expansion of aeronautics and astronomy. Its members ( beginning from about 15 countries, today over 50 ) but also had the potential practical applications for wireless communications, earth science and navigation in mind. A little later the cooperation with parts of the UN and with established soon astronautical organizations such as COSPAR and Intercosmos began.

Only a few months after the launch of the first earth satellite writes the German astronomer and professor Karl Schütte in the then pioneering Paperback The space travel has begun ( Herder 1957) of the " astronautics as an international task". You do, inter alia, clear that the evolving technology of space travel once again the word "impossible " lies penalty, but also a challenge for the peaceful co-operation and for responsible moral performing - especially considering the fact that most of the developments and the rocket launches for military reasons successes.