Sir Hermann Bondi: a journey through his life and the early endeavours of Europe into space

Paper number

IAC-06-E4.1.05

Author

Ms. Veerle Sterken, Technical University of Delft (TUDelft), The Netherlands

Year

2006

Abstract

This paper highlights the life, work and personality of Sir Hermann Bondi, with an emphasis on his years as Director General of the European Space Research Organization (ESRO), the predecessor of ESA.

Born in Austria, but being at his ease in Cambridge, Sir Hermann Bondi has had a varying and impressive career as a lecturer, researcher, manager and advisor in many fields like cosmology, radar technology, energy and defense. His main reputation resulted from a paper in cosmology defining the "steady state theory of the universe". This theory explained that the universe has always existed and matter is being created continuously, in order to keep a constant density while expanding. This theory was later disproved by the Big Bang theory, but provoked a lot of fruitful discussions in the world of cosmology. During his years as Director General in ESRO, Bondi has proven his intellectual, organizational and communication capabilities while being one of the main players in helping the rise of ESA to success, in spite of the difficulties existing in ESRO and the European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO). With these activities, Bondi has established himself as a very important person in the history of astronautics and cosmology. 

Apart from his work, Sir Bondi had broader interests. He loved to travel, to ski and to climb. He was also an active member and later president of the British Humanist Association. He stimulated science to be brought to the public as well as the exchange of scientists between industry and university. He was known as having a strong personality, which impressed many people who have met him.

Abstract document

IAC-06-E4.1.05.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E4.1.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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