Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-wxvwp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-13T21:56:50.995Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

From Aviation to Astronautics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

J. E. Allen
J. E. Allen*
Affiliation:
Head of Aerodynamics, Projects and Assessment Department, Weapons Research Division, A- V. Roe and Co. Ltd
Get accessRights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Now that major space flight operations are under way in Russia and America there is a natural interest in such topics in this country among those working on aeronautics and guided missiles. At present one can only speculate on how this country will eventually contribute to space flight. As the Duke of Edinburgh has remarked, the difficulty is not due to lack of scientific talent but to the absence of surplus funds. Even so, we can make effective contributions in many ways and we should not lack boldness in seeking out possible ways of doing this. In the meantime, however, there seems to be a place for a review of the present technical situation and prospects for the near future, as seen from the standpoint of one in the British Aircraft Industry. As the majority of interplanetary flights will begin through the Earth’s atmosphere and many will finish by way of the same medium, the Royal Aeronautical Society can claim a special and legitimate interest in these matters. Ever since its inception the Society has encouraged the discussion of new technical advances, although its ability to do this has sometimes been hampered by the requirements of security. The same restrictions apply to this paper with the result that I have chosen to draw upon published material throughout, and to review the subject on a broad basis. I hope the work will not be less acceptable on these grounds.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 62 , Issue 573 , September 1958, pp. 615 - 632
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1958

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1. Duke of Edinburgh’s Speech—Britain Enters the Space Age. The Aeroplane 94, p. 560, 25th April 1958.Google Scholar
2. Royal Aeronautical Society—Announcement of Guided Flight Section. Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, 61, p. LVII, October 1957,Google Scholar
3. Aviation Facts and Figures (1957 Edition), pp. 24, 28. American Aviation Publications.Google Scholar
4. Sänger, E. (1957). Steady Nuclear Combustion in Rockets. (Transl. from Astron. Acta, 1 (2), 1955, pp. 61–88). N.A.C.A. T.M. 1405, April 1957.Google Scholar
5. Shepherd, L. R. (1957). Future Developments in Rocket Propulsion Beyond the Atmosphere. High Altitude and Satellite Rockets Symposium, R.Ae.S., B.I.S. and College of Aeronautics, July 1957. (In the Press.)Google Scholar
6. Shepherd, L. R. and Cleaver, A. V. (1957). The Atomic Rocket. From: Realities of Space Travel, pp. 136–173, ed. L. J., Carter. Putnam, 1957.Google Scholar
7. Edwards, George (1958). Presidential Address. Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, 62, pp. 239–248, April 1958.Google Scholar
8. Lombard, A. A. (1958). Thinking About Aircraft Engines. Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Vol. 62, pp. 337–347, May 1958.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9. Manned Rocket Aircraft, pp. 71-78. Missiles and Rockets, 2, p. 74, November 1957.Google Scholar
10. Henry, J. P. (1957). Psycho-physiological Hazards of Satellite Flight. High Altitude and Satellite Rockets Symposium, R.Ae.S., B.I.S. and College of Aeronautics, July 1957. (In the Press.)Google Scholar
11. Gallois, P. M. (1957). Ballistic Missiles will be Political Weapons. Interavia, 12, pp. 1251–1252, December 1957.Google Scholar
12. Sutton, G. P. (1955). History, Problems and Status of Guided Missiles. Jet Propulsion, 25, pp. 615–626, November 1955.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13. Soucy, C. I. (1957) Reliability Control of Electronic Equipment in Aircraft and Weapon Systems: General and Management Aspects. Canadian Aeronautical Journal, 3, pp. 222–231, September 1957.Google Scholar
14. Bailey, D. E. (1957). Stand-off Bombs. Flight, 72, pp. 891–892, 6th December 1957.Google Scholar
15. Anderton, D. A. (1956). Snark Design Stresses Range, Simplicity. Aviation Week, 64, pp. 46–48, 53, 26th March 1956.Google Scholar
16. Snark Hits Target at 5,000 Miles. Missiles and Rockets, 2, p. 59, December 1957.Google Scholar
17. Billington, I. J., Cole, A. L. and Lamb, B. S. (1956). Defence Against the I.C.B.M., Part 1. The Aeroplane, 91, pp. 629–632, 26th October 1956.Google Scholar
18. Re-entry Temperatures. Jet Propulsion 27, p. 1149, November 1957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19. Wrigley, W., Woodbury, R. B. and Hovorka, J. (1957). Inertial Guidance. Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences, S.M.F. Fund Paper FF-16, 1957.Google Scholar
20. N.A.C.A. Boosts Rocket Research: 200-Mile Altitudes, 7,000 m.p.h. Speeds. Missiles and Rockets 1, pp. 82, 83, 86, November 1956.Google Scholar
21. The Spectacular X-17. Missiles and Rockets, 2, pp. 114– 115, April 1957.Google Scholar
22. Blagonravov, A. A. (1957). Study of the Upper Layers of the Atmosphere by Means of High-Altitude Rockets. Vestnik Akademii Nauk SSSR, 27, pp. 25–32, 1957.Google Scholar
23. Singer, S. F. (1957). Project Far Side. Missiles and Rockets, 2, pp. 120–128, October 1957.Google Scholar
24. Manchester Guardian, 23rd November 1957.Google Scholar
25. Fedorov, Y. K. and Skuridin, G. A. (1957). Rockets and Artificial Earth Satellites in Research of the Upper Atmosphere. Vestnik Akademii Nauk, SSSR, No. 8, pp. 37–48, 1957.Google Scholar
26. Rosen, M. (1957). The Vanguard Satellite Launching Vehicle. High Altitude and Satellite Rockets Symposium, R.Ae.S., B.I.S. and College of Aeronautics, July 1957. (In the Press.)Google Scholar
27. Symposium on the U.S. Earth Satellite Programme—Vanguard of Outer Space. Proc, I.R.E., 44, pp. 741–767, June 1956.Google Scholar
28. Arnowitz, L. (1957). The Vanguard Control System. Astronautics, 2, pp. 34–36, 84, October 1957.Google Scholar
29. Okhotsimski, D. C, and others. (1957). Determination of the Lifetime of an Artificial Earth Satellite and a Study of its Secular Orbital Disturbances. Abstract of a Paper Presented at the I.G.Y. Conference in Barcelona, 1957.Google Scholar
30. Van, Allen, ed. (1956). Scientific Uses of Earth Satellites. Chapman and Hall, 1956.Google Scholar
31. Hypothetical Mach 4 Ramjet Airplane. N.A.C.A. Inspection 1957: Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory, p. 5.Google Scholar
32. Svenska, Flygmotor (Mach 6 Ramjet). Interavia, 12, p. 1030, October 1957.Google Scholar
33. Turbojet May Serve as ICBM Booster. Aviation Week, p. 36, 27th January 1958.Google Scholar
34. Greenwood, S. W. (1958). The Ramjet in Astronautics. Spaceflight, 1, pp. 211–215, 219, January 1958.Google Scholar
35. Haber, H. (1954). Man and Machine Between Atmosphere and Space. Aeronautical Engineering Revue, 13, pp. 56–62, November 1954.Google Scholar
36. Dornberger, W. R. (1955). The Rocket Driven Commercial Airliner. Interavia, 10, pp. 320–323, May 1955.Google Scholar
37. Von Kármán, TH. (1957). Hypersonic Glide Bomber. Aviation Week, 67, p. 21, 30th September 1957. (In Editorial.)Google Scholar
38. Allen, H. J. (1957). Hypersonic Flight and the Re-entry Problem. 21st Wright Brothers Lecture, Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, p. 229, April 1958.Google Scholar
39. Burz, J. S. (1957). Ballistic Missile Has Glide Potential. Aviation Week, 67. pp. 26–28, 11th November 1957.Google Scholar
40. North American X-15. Flight, 73, pp. 100–101. 24th January 1958.Google Scholar
41. Bergaust, E. (1957). Manned Rocket Bombers Under- way. Missiles and Rockets, 2, pp. 20–21, February 1957.Google Scholar
42. Note on Russian T-4A Range. Missiles and Rockets, 2, p. 78, November 1957. (In: Ordway, F.I. Manned Rocket Aircraft, pp. 71–78.)Google Scholar
43. Serby, J. E. (1958). Guided Weapons and Aircraft. Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, March 1958.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
43(a). Rocketdyne, North American Aviation Inc. Rocket Engine Propellants (Chart of Specific Impulse). Missiles and Rockets, 1, Facing p. 134, November 1956.Google Scholar
43(b). Tormey, J. F. (1957). Liquid Rocket Propellants—Is There an Energy Limit? Aeronautical Engineering Review, pp. 54–58, October 1957.Google Scholar
44. Horsfall, R. B. (1958). Stellar Inertial Guidance Reduces Error. Aviation Week, 68, pp. 75–79, 17th March 1958.Google Scholar
45. Findlay, D. A. (1957). Miniaturization of Electronic Equipment (Special Report). Electronics, 30, pp. 177–204, October 1957.Google Scholar
46. Lush, K. J. (1948). A Review of the Problem of Choosing a Climb Technique, with Proposals for a New Climb Technique for High Performance Aircraft, ARC. R. and M. 2557, 30th June 1948.Google Scholar
47. Burz, J. S. (1957). Navy Reports Mach 200 Shock Waves. Aviation Week, 66, pp. 26–27, 25th March 1957.Google Scholar
48. Logan, J. G. (1957). New Air for Engineers. Missiles and Rockets, 2, pp. 86–90, November 1957.Google Scholar
49. Steketee, J. A. (1957). An Introduction to the Equations of Magneto Gas Dynamics. Institute of Aerophysics, Toronto, April 1957. LTR Review, No. 9.Google Scholar
50. Alfven, H. (1950). Cosmical Electrodynamics. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1950.Google Scholar
51. Cowling, T. C. (1957). Magnetohydrodynamics. New York, Interscience Publishers, 1957.Google Scholar
52. Controlled Release of Thermonuclear Energy. Nature, pp. 217–233, 25th January 1958.Google Scholar
53. Hotshot II—Air Driven Tunnel. Flight, 37, p. 301, 7th March 1958.Google Scholar
54. Giannini, G. M. (1957). The Plasma Jet. Scientific American, pp. 80–88, August 1957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
55. Schematic Diagrams: Plasma Jet; Ion Propulsion Unit. N.A.C.A. Inspection 1957: Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory, pp. 15, 17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
56. Rossow, V. J. On Flow of Electrically Conducting Fluids Over a Flat Plate in the Presence of a Transverse Magnetic Field. N.A.C.A. T.N. 3971.Google Scholar
57. Life Magazine, 24, pp. 48, 49, 17th February 1958.Google Scholar
58. Resler, E. L. and Sears, W. R. (1958). The Prospects for Magnetoaerodynamics. Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, 25, pp. 235–245, April 1958.Google Scholar
59. Bleviss, Z. O. (1957). Transmission of Electromagnetic Waves Through Ionized Air Surrounding Hypersonic Aircraft. Douglas Report No. SM-22965, October 1957.Google Scholar
60. Tsien, H. S. (1954). Engineering Cybernetics. McGraw- Hill, 1954.Google Scholar
61. Dryden, H. L. (1958). Space Technology and the N.A.C.A. Aeronautical Engineering Review, 17, pp. 32–34, 44, March 1958.Google Scholar
62. Kazantsev, A. (1957). Observations of Radio Signals from an Artificial Earth Satellite and their Scientific Value. Radio, No. 6, pp. 17–19, 1957.Google Scholar
63. Massey, H. S. W. (1957). The Scientific Applications of Rockets and Satellites. High Altitude and Satellite Rockets Symposium, R.Ae.S., B.I.S. and College of Aeronautics, July 1957. (In the Press.)Google Scholar
64. Davis, W. O. (1956). A New Approach to Space Flight. Missiles and Rockets, 1, p. 66, December 1956.Google Scholar
65. Reconnaissance Satellite Plan. Aviation Week, p. 30, 21st April 1958.Google Scholar
66. Haviland, R. P. (1958). The Communication Satellite. Astro. Acta., 4 (1), p. 70, 1958.Google Scholar
67. Staniukov, (1957). Russian Rocket to Moon in Two Years. U.S.S.R. Academy of Science. Manchester Guardian, 14th November 1957.Google Scholar
68. Khrushchevich, (1957). Moon Laboratory. Moscow Radio, 23rd November 1957. 44.Google Scholar
69. First Lunar Shot to Seek Far Side Data. Aviation Week, 69, p. 26, 4th August 1958.Google Scholar
70. Foley, J. (1956). Instrumentation and Telemetry. British Interplanetary Society Journal, 15, pp. 182–186, July-August 1956.Google Scholar
71. King-Hele, D. G. (1956). The Descent of an Earth Satellite Through the Upper Atmosphere. British Interplanetary Society Journal, 15, p. 314, November /December 1956.Google Scholar
72. Douglas Aircraft CO. (1957). Satellite Recovery Proposal. Missiles and Rockets, 2, p. 95, December 1957.Google Scholar
73. Steel Parachutes. Missiles and Rockets, 2, p. 95, December 1957.Google Scholar
74. Kemp, N. H. and Riddell, F. R. (1957). Re-entry Heat Transfer to Satellite Vehicles. Jet Propulsion, 27, p. 132, February 1957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
75. Eggers, A. J. (1957). Performance of Long Range Hyper-velocity Vehicles. Jet Propulsion, 27, pp. 1147–1151, November 1957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
76. Wallace, D. Hayes (1958). Discussion of 21st Wright Brothers Lecture, “Hypersonic Flight and the Re-entry Problem.” Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, 25, p. 229, April 1958.Google Scholar
77. Ferri, A., Feldman, L. and Daskin, W. (1957). The Use of Lift for Re-entry from Satellite Trajectories. Jet Propulsion, 27, pp; 1184–1190, November 1957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
78. Ehricke, K. A. (1954). A New Supply System for Satellite Orbit., Parts 1 and 2. Jet Propulsion, 24, pp. 302-309, September/October 1954 and 24, pp. 369-373, November/ December 1954.Google Scholar
79. Eggers, A. J., Allen, E. J. and Neice, S. E. (1957). A Comparative Analysis of the Performance of Long-Range Hypervelocity Vehicles. N.A.C.A. T.N. 4046, October 1957.Google Scholar
80. Hilton, W. F. (1957). Re-entry and Recovery. High Altitude and Satellite Rockets Symposium, R.Ae.S., B.I.S. and College of Aeronautics, July 1957. (In the Press.)Google Scholar
81. Eggers, A. J. Jnr, (1958). A Recoverable Satellite which may Land on the Sea. N.A.C.A. Communication dated 5th May 1958.Google Scholar
82. Cleaver, A. V. (1957). A Programme for Achieving Interplanetary Flight. Realities of Space Travel, pp. 335–368. (Ed. Carter, L. J.. Putman, 1957.)Google Scholar
83. A National Space Flight Programme. Astronautics, 3, pp. 21–28, January 1958.Google Scholar
84. Development of Manned Space Flight. Aviation Age, 28, pp. 14–17, March 1958.Google Scholar
85. Rosen, M. W. (1952-53). The Prospect for Space Flight. Technion Year Book, pp. 88-93 (1952-1953).Google Scholar
86. Rosen, M. W. and Snodgrass, R. B. (1953). Margin for Error. Space Flight Problems. 4th Astronautical Congress, Zurich, 1953, pp. 60–62. (Proceedings), Swiss Astronautical Society.Google Scholar
87. Von Kármán, TH. (1954). Aerodynamics; Selected Topics in the Light of Their Historical Development, Cornell University Press, p. 186, 1954.Google Scholar
88. Allen, H. J. (1957). Hypersonic Flight Problems (Introductory Remarks). Jet Propulsion, 27, p. 1145, November 1957.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
89. Baker, N. L. (1957). Manned Re-entrys: A Technical Barrier of the Past? (Includes data on re-entry hemispheres proposed by A. J. Eggars). Missiles and Rockets, 2, p. 95, December 1957.Google Scholar
90. Scala, Sinclaire M. (1957). Hypersonic Heat Transfer to Surfaces Having Finite Catalytic Efficiency. General Electric Co., Aerophysics Laboratory Research Memorandum, 4th June 1957.Google Scholar
91. Will Satellites Be Short Lived? Astronautics, 2, pp. 31, 52, October 1957.Google Scholar
91(a). Detra, R. W., Kemp, N. H. and Riddell, F. R. (1957). Addendum to “Heat Transfer to Satellite Vehicles Re-entering the Atmosphere.” Jet Propulsion, 27, No. 12, p. 1256, December 1957.Google Scholar
92. Williams, Walter C. and Drake, Hubert M. (1958). The Research Airplane. Aeronautical Engineering Review, pp. 36–41, 17th January 1958.Google Scholar
93. Robotti, A. C. (1956). An Airborne Method of Launching Satellites. Interavia, 11, pp. 970–972, December 1956.Google Scholar
94. Hypersonic Aircraft for Operation within Flight .Corridor. N.A.C.A. Inspection, p. 10, 1957: Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory.Google Scholar
95. Pushing Up the Ceiling. The Aeroplane, 44. pp. 194–197, 14th February 1958.Google Scholar
96. Sänger, Eugen (1958). Political Aspects of Space Flight. German Society for Rocket Technology and Spaceflight, Stuttgart, 1st February 1958.Google Scholar
97. President Details N.A.C.A. Space Mission. Aviation Week. 68, pp. 51, 62, 14th April 1958.Google Scholar
98. Von Kármán, TH. (1954). Aerodynamics; Selected Topics in the Light of Their Historical Development, Cornell University Press, p. 191, 1954.Google Scholar