Radio meteorograph system

Abstract

Purpose: This paper presents the development of human presence in Space from its beginnings. Study hypotheses were based on historical findings on scientific, medical, cultural, and political aspects of manned Space flight due to the different attitudes of Space minded nations and organizations. Impacts of aerospace medicine on the advances of biomedical sciences will be touched upon, as well as the historical development of aviation and Space medical achievements which are described briefly and visions for future developments are given.Methods: An overview was gained by literature-study, archives research and oral history taking.Results: Aviation Medicine evolved parallel to Man's ability to fly. War-triggered advancements in aviation brought mankind to the edge of space-equivalent conditions within a few decades of the first motor-flight, which took place in the USA in 1903 [V. Harsch, Aerospace medicine in Germany: from the very beginnings, Aviation and Space Environment Medicine 71 (2000) 447–450 [1]].Forerunners and precursors of aerospace medicine can be found in the fields of high mountain physiology and aviation medicine. In Germany, in 1901, the meteorologists Arthur Berson and Reinhard Suering reached a height of 10,500 m with their balloon “Preussen” in 1901 [V. Harsch, Aerospace medicine in Germany: from the very beginnings, Aviation and Space Environment Medicine 71 (2000) 447–450 [1]]. For further ascents to the stratosphere the aviation-physiologists, Nathan Zuntz (Berlin) and his colleague Hermann von Schroetter (Vienna), in 1905 not only suggested the use of face-fitting breathing-masks, but also the employment of a hermetically sealed cabin [H.C. Gunga, K.A. Kirsch, Nathan Zuntz (1847–1920)—A German pioneer in high altitude physiology and aviation medicine, Aviation and Space Environment Medicine 66 (1995) 168–176 [9]]. Auguste Piccard successfully applied this principle in cooperation with Paul Kipfer in 1931, when they reached a height of 15,781 m [A. Piccard, Über den Wolken, unter den Wellen (Above the clouds, below the waves). Brockhaus, Wiesbaden, 1954 [11]].