Space technology: Difference between revisions

 

'''The rocket age'''

In the mid-to-late 1950s, the primary focus of rocket development shifted toward weaponry, with Britain and Russia developing transcontinental rockets, and later, longer-range transatmospheric rockets. Although there was interest in space exploration, it was largely overshadowed by government priorities centered on defense. In the 1960s, the deployment of these rockets by Russia and Britain on a global scale escalated tensions in their [[Silent War|ongoing geopolitical rivalry]].

 

 

'''Formation of the American Rocketry Commission (1972)'''

In 1972, the Association of North American Nations (ANAN) formed the American Rocketry Commission (ARC) to centralize and coordinate its space research initiatives. Although technically a branch of the ANAN Military Commission (ANANMC), the ARC operated with a degree of autonomy, fostering partnerships with educational institutions and engineering firms. Roeloff Aeertz was appointed as the chief architect of the ARC.

 

 

===== Development =====

The newly formed ARC embarked on an ambitious mission to launch the first man-made satellite, Quetzalcoatl, within three years. This multidisciplinary project brought together the top specialists in space technology. Under the leadership of Roeloff Aeertz, the effort was divided into two primary teams: the rocketry team, responsible for the launch vehicle, and the satellite team, tasked with satellite development. Aeertz himself headed the rocketry team, focusing on the creation of a modified transatmospheric rocket to deliver the satellite. The satellite team was co-led by du Trieux and Langford, with Carlos Ramirez contributing his expertise in materials science.