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Many believe the first 50 years of human space flight is a natural progression of human endeavour, fueled by a ‘frontier’ spirit, by a sense of adventure and by mankind’s innately inquisitive nature. But that interpretation would be false, for such reasons have yet to stimulate a sustained human presence in space. Several times during the last 50 years human space flight was all but shut down. Where were those critical points, when did they occur and why? We discuss critical periods, some that have not yet appeared in print but which are key to fully understanding why we did what we did over this last half century. We go deep behind the scenes to examine the myths that veil the reality behind key decisions made over the first 50 years of human space flight.

Biography
Dr David Baker had a professional involvement with human space flight for more than 25 years, beginning with NASA in the early days of the two-man Gemini programme in the mid-1960s through the development of Apollo H-series mission planning and the Shuttle. During the late 1980s he worked around the world guiding satellite manufacturers and launch vehicle providers and advised banks and the space insurance industry in London and in New York on commercial space projects.

David was involved with the Shuttle programme throughout its development during the 1970s and 1980s and worked with NASA on key aspects of the vehicle’s mission capabilities. From the early 1980s he was involved with helping integrate the Shuttle into the expanding commercialization of space and worked with many governments around the world on utilizing space-based assets, visiting the USSR from 1984 to discuss international co-operation with the Soviet government.

From the early 1990s David has worked as an aerospace consultant, as editor of Jane’s Spaceflight Directory for seven years and, over the last 40 years as the author of more than 80 books on science and aerospace subjects for publishers in the UK, Europe and the USA. Dr Baker was elected an Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics and is the recipient of the 1998 Rolls-Royce Award. In 2008 he was presented with the Arthur C Clarke Space Award and now works as an author, consultant and adviser.

Each member may also obtain a free ticket for one guest subject to availability of space.

If you are a BIS Member or Fellow, you can make your free booking on our website. If you are not a Member or Fellow of the BIS, you can book for £5.00 via the Online Booking Form at www.bis-space.com.

Added by Jobeda Ali on April 12, 2011

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