After Icarus

André Lebeau

pp. 9-17

in: Jean Schneider, Monique Léger-Orine (eds), Frontiers and space conquest / frontières et conquête spatiale, Berlin, Springer, 1988

Abstract

By way of introduction, I am going to attempt to give an overall view of the way in which space technology interacts with the development of society, most notably in the developed countries where this technology is being created. I might have entitled my address "The logic of space development". There is no intrinsic logic to the development of a technology; logic becomes apparent only if one examines the whole constituted by a particular technology and its socio-economic framework. And that is just what I am proposing to do. I shall be seeking throughout to disregard circumstantial factors in order to concentrate on essentials. I will also avoid getting involved in an analysis of national strategies, since that would lead me way beyond the limits I have set myself. I will be using a historical form of presentation, the method best suited for demonstrating the logic of space development. I will start by going back to the beginnings.