Beyond the atmosphere : early years of space science / Homer E. Newell ; introduction to the Dover edition by Paul Dickson

"This Dover edition ... is an unabridged republication of the work originally published in Washington, D.C., in 1980 in the NASA History Series as NASA SP-4211"--Pref.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 457-484) and index.

Nature of the subject. The meaning of space science ; The context -- Taproots. Prophets and pioneers of spaceflight ; The Rocket and Satellite Research Panel : the first space scientists ; The Academy of Sciences stakes a claim ; Early harvest : the upper atmosphere and cosmic rays -- Setting the course. Response to Sputnik : the creation of NASA ; NASA gets under way ; External relations ; Rockets and spacecraft : sine qua non of space science ; Deepening perspective : a new look at the Old World -- Love-hate relationships. Who decides? ; The universities : allies and rivals to NASA ; Programs, projects, and headaches ; Jet Propulsion Laboratory : outsider or insider? ; Life sciences : no place in the sun ; Leadership and changing times -- The scope of space science. International ties ; Space science and practical applications ; Continuing harvest : the broadening field of space science -- Future course. Objectives, plans, and budgets; Review and assessment -- Appendixes. A, Membership of Rocket and Satellite Research Panel ; B, Typical distribution of RSRP reports ; C, Meetings of Rocket and Satellite Research Panel ; D, RSRP proposals for a national space program ; E, Original membership of the U.S. National Committee for the International Geophysical Year ; F, Membership of the Space Science Board, 1958-1972 ; G, Reports from Space Science Board summer studies ; H, Advisers attending NASA's First University Program Conference, 1961 ; I, Meeting of physicists at Airlie House, Warrenton, Virginia, 1963 ; J, Statement by President Nixon on the space program, 7 March 1970.