Henry the Navigator and the Moon
- Paper number
IAC-07-D3.1.04
- Author
Mr. Silvio Sandrone, EADS Astrium Space Transportation, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Alain Wagner, EADS Astrium Space Transportation, France
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The first decades of European ocean sailing were conducted in a stepwise fashion. Since the discovery of Madeira in 1415, each mission constituted an increment with respect to the previous one in terms of distance, technology and knowledge of the environment. Through these Portuguese missions, masterminded and sponsored by Henry the Navigator and his successors, the Europeans gained sufficient experience to make it possible for Columbus to cross the Atlantic in 1492 and for Cabral to reach Brazil in 1500. This saga bears striking resemblances with space exploration, in terms of:
- The incremental scientific and technical progress underpinning both;
- The paradigm shift in business, economic and societal terms that both imply;
- The quantum leap in vision and strategy that made Atlantic exploration possible.
Henry the Navigator managed to link 4 considerations into a coherent vision dictating a concrete action plan:
- Desire to better know the world;
- Need to try new ways to secure the resources for economic growth;
- Need to establish a presence to counter hegemonic plans by other powers over an unexplored territory and its riches;
- Desire to promote certain values and a model of society.
By comparing Henry the Navigator’s Age of Discovery to Europe’s space exploration efforts, we gather a number of ideas that are relevant in to-day’s context. The comparison may help seeing some of the issues we face at the beginning of the 21st century from a novel point of view, and in particular may open Europe’s space leaders to boost ambitions for space exploration.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-D3.1.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.