Astronautics

The term astronautics ( English astronautics ) or cosmonautics ( Russian космонавтика ) includes the disciplines of the sciences ( space science , astronautical science [ s ] , such as the astrophysics of space vehicles) and technology ( space technology , astronautical engineering , especially mechanical engineering and materials science ), the are the prerequisites for successful space travel and the exploration of the high atmosphere . Specifically, astronautics is primarily concerned with the design, construction and operation of rockets and their payloads ( satellites , space probes and associated instruments ) and the planning of the course of space missions . It can also be understood as an umbrella term for rocket and satellite technology. Another important scientific offshoot is, for example, space medicine , i.e. the examination of people under the conditions that space travel brings with it.

Term coining and Astronautical Federation

“Astronautics” is made up of the Greek ἀστήρ astḗr and ναυτική nautikḗ , which means shipping . The term was coined in the early 1950s when the Soviet Union and the USA began using the ICBMs developed at the time for exploring near-earth space .

Founded in 1952 International Astronautical Federation ( International Astronautical Federation , IAF) understood at that time as a promising, new technology -based expansion of aeronautics and astronomy . Its members (initially from around 15 countries, today over 50) also had their eye on possible uses for radio communications , geosciences and navigation . A little later, cooperation began with sub-areas of the UN and with soon-to-be-founded astronautical organizations such as COSPAR and Interkosmos .

Only a few months after the launch of the first earth satellite, the German astronomer and university professor Karl Schütte wrote in the then groundbreaking paperback Die Weltraumfahrt has begun (Herder 1957) about “astronautics as an international task”. You do u. a. It is clear that the developing technology of space travel once again belies the word "impossible", but also represents a challenge for peaceful cooperation and responsible morality - especially in view of the fact that the majority of developments and rocket launches are for military reasons successes.

See also

• Aerospace Engineering
• Rocket technology , satellite technology
• unmanned space travel , manned space travel
• Space law
• Aeronautics

literature

• Mark Davies: The standard handbook for aeronautical and astronautical engineers. McGraw-Hill, New York 2003, ISBN 0-07-136229-0
• Anatolij I. Kiselev (et al.): Astronautics - summary and prospects. Springer, Vienna 2003, ISBN 3-211-83890-2
• Ulrich Walter : Astronautics . Wiley-VCH-Verl., Weinheim 2008, ISBN 978-3-527-40685-2

Web links

Wiktionary: Astronautics  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Wolfgang Pfeifer (Ed.): Etymological Dictionary of German. Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, March 1995