The First Spanish Space Plan 1968 to 1974
- Paper number
IAC-06-E4.4.02
- Author
Dr. José M. Dorado Gutierrez, EASL, Spain
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The first Spanish Space Plan was developed between the years 1.968 and 1.974 within a time frame defined by important milestones. In 1960 Spain joins COPERS, the commission that opened the door to ESRO in 1964, and signs agreements with the US that opened the door to a transfer of technology to the Spanish aeronautical industry. In 1.975 ESA inherits and expands ESRO responsibilities and a very important political change takes place in Spain. These are therefore transition years from a situation in which Spain was isolated both political and industrially from the rest of the world to a situation in which Spain starts to be fully integrated in all major international organizations, both political and industrial. This justifies the importance of that plan for the Spanish space industry, a plan that permitted its transition to the space field. The paper presents the situation of the aeronautical industry in the early 1960’s, the problems suffered during the first ESRO years, the situation in 1.975 as a result of the space plan and the specific developments carried out within the plan. Main products of the Plan were the first Spanish satellite successfully launched in 1974 (INTASAT) and the first INTA sounding rockets launched from the own Arenosillo range. In parallel, agreements with NASA led to the installation of large space ground stations in Spain operated by INTA personnel supporting major NASA space missions in those years. The author participated directly in that effort
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-E4.4.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.