Space Drive - 1970 No 01

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE DRIVE
Issue: 1
Volume: 1
Date: January 1970
Publisher: N.I.S.T.R.A.
Country: UK
Price: FREE

This inaugural issue of 'SPACE DRIVE' magazine, subtitled 'Experimental SpaceCraft Development', positions itself as a serious publication dedicated to the study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and their propulsion systems, alongside general space propulsion techniques. It aims to foster an open-minded approach, exploring the question 'DO UFOS EXIST?' and encouraging closer observation and study of UFO craft.

Editorial

The editorial addresses the teething troubles of launching a new magazine, apologizing for any imperfections in the copies due to issues with the duplicator. The editor outlines the magazine's core mission: to become a serious work into the study and comprehension of UFOs and their propulsion systems. It also announces plans to cover the Moon programs of the USA and USSR, as well as general space propulsion techniques. Recognizing that not all readers are solely interested in UFOs, the magazine pledges to cover ordinary science as well, ensuring a broad spectrum of information for researchers and students. The editor also introduces the idea of an 'ENTERTAINMENTS SECTION' with stories and cartoons to provide a break from serious thought, operating under the motto 'PEOPLE WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED - NOT EDUCATED'. Budding authors are invited to submit stories related to the magazine's themes for a fee.

Key Articles and Features

"DO UFOS EXIST?"

This introductory section sets the tone for the magazine, posing the fundamental question about UFO existence. It emphasizes the need for closer observation and study of UFO craft if they are indeed real. The policy of the magazine is to maintain an open mind, exploring the possibility of their existence.

"HYPOTHESIS ON U.F.O ANATOMY" by Edward Harris

Edward Harris presents a detailed hypothesis on the mechanics and electrics of a Venusian scoutship, possibly inspired by Adamski's accounts. He diagrams a potential UFO structure, including a 'N. POLE', 'SOLENOID COIL', 'Secondary Augmentors', 'Static Generators', and 'Suggested Condensors'. Harris questions whether UFO propulsion systems will ever be developed on Earth through the scrutiny of 'theirs'. He notes the existing literature on UFOs often fails to resolve the problem and highlights the differing opinions among researchers. He mentions Richard B. Barton's plans for a saucer powered by Cathode Rays and Lenard G. Cramp's 'Piece for a jigsaw' which suggests 'Bi Fields' for propulsion. A case is described where a transparent bubble-like object was seen descending into Whipps Cross 'Hollow Ponds' in 1964, investigated by Mr. Keith Palmer.

"Hypothesis" (Continued)

Harris continues his hypothesis by exploring the concept of anti-gravity. He suggests that UFOs might lessen their atomic weight to achieve lift, likening it to a heavy object becoming lighter than water or a hydrogen balloon rising. He proposes that UFOs might reverse their atomic revolutions, creating a form of anti-matter, to achieve weightlessness. This could explain why some UFOs do not land or take a long time to do so, as immediate landing could be catastrophic. He also speculates that radiation sometimes found at landing sites could be linked to this process, citing a case where a UFO plunged into the sea and exploded.

"HOW UFOS WORK" (Implied article by Edward Harris)

This section, possibly a continuation or related piece by Harris, discusses potential reasons for UFO occupants warning people away from their craft, suggesting it might be due to the craft not touching the earth or slowly neutralizing. The orange-amber glow seen in UFOs is linked to this reversed system. Harris proposes three areas for research: 1) Creating 'ANTI-GRAVITY' by spinning atoms in the opposite direction, acknowledging the potential danger of atomic explosions. 2) Discovering a way to create apparatus to displace gravitational fields for lift. 3) Processing natural forces for UFO propulsion systems. He references Leonard G. Cramp's book 'Piece for a Jigsaw' as a source of scientific explanation for UFO propulsion and suggests that UFOs might use a static electricity-based propulsion system, possibly related to the poles seen on many UFOs.

E.S.C.D. NEWS

This section announces that a very small rocket powered by four firework-type engines will be constructed and fired shortly after the magazine's publication. This marks the return of rocketry efforts by the ISTR Group after a hiatus since 1955, aiming to promote interest in rocketry and achieve an altitude record. Photos of the launch will be taken and published in the magazine, with photos also available for sale. An encyclopedia of the universe, titled 'The Universe', is also announced for publication.

"CONVENTION?" by S. DRIVE REPORTER

This article reviews Britain's first National Space and UFO Convention held in August 1969. The event was poorly attended, with only 2,000 turning up out of an expected 5,000. Criticisms include poor advertising and an inconvenient location (Woburn Abbey) that was unaffordable for many. The lack of directing signs for coach parties also contributed to the disorganization. The reporter notes the absence of John Keel from America, suggesting his presence would have provided a more balanced debate on UFOs, as Dr. Frank E. Stranges was the sole prominent speaker on the subject. The article also mentions Arthur Shuttlewood's speech and the absence of US or USSR embassies, leading to the observation that the 'SPACE' aspect of the convention was not forthcoming. The next convention is planned for Caxton Hall, Westminster.

"SPACE DRIVE'S UFO TOP TEN OF SPACE AND UFO MAGS."

A list of ten recommended UFO and space magazines is provided:
1. FLYING SAUCER REVIEW
2. SAUCER NEWS
3. FLYING SAUCERS
4. SPACELINK
5. CANADIAN UFO REPORT
6. INTERPLANETARY NEWS
7. UFO NACHRICTEN (Germany)
8. BUFORA JOURNAL
9. SPACEFLIGHT
10. HERMES (Junior Astronomical Society)

"AURO STORY" by SPACE DRIVE CORRESPONDENT

This section introduces AURO (Aleins Unidentified Research Organisation), a non-profit group seeking new members interested in Sky Phenomena. John Parkinson, founder member, is interviewed. He describes AURO as a club that also supports LUNIC ENTERPRISES and the magazine 'ENTERPRISER'. The article mentions that AURO is intending to research finding alien beings on Earth. Other members mentioned include Mr. L. Albert, Mr. and Mrs. Chew, William Mopteman, and D. Rodway. The correspondent expresses hope that AURO will continue its work.

"THE MEN IN BLACK - MY POINT OF VIEW" by Beryl Wallace

Beryl Wallace discusses the phenomenon of 'Men In Black' (MIB) who have allegedly silenced UFO researchers and witnesses. She speculates they could be government agents and describes their actions as murder, intimidation, and tampering with mail. Wallace urges researchers to resist being frightened by them. She also touches upon theories that MIB might come from a dying planet, possibly in the Orion-Rigel region, seeking a new home.

"ENTERPRISER - A JOURNAL OF THE A.U.R.O."

This section features an article titled 'World on a Disc in the Year 2525' by EMHAR, which appears to be a review of a pop song by Peter Scothern. The song is described as being about science and its potential progress. The article also mentions a photograph of Jesus supposedly formed by clouds, seen over London and Korea, and a claim by a Chicago Airforce man who took photos during combat patrol. The article questions the purpose of life in a future where humanity might become 'maroned specimens' and encourages proactive engagement with life.

"Rocket crashes"

A brief news item reports the crash of the fourth Europa Rocket launched from Woomera, Australia, due to a failure in its German third stage.

"LAYMAN'S MOON. VIEW" by Herbert W. Armstrong

Herbert W. Armstrong, editor of 'The Plain Truth', reflects on the second moon landing. He expresses awe at the capabilities of the human mind in devising and producing the means for space travel. He contrasts this with humanity's inability to solve its own problems on Earth, linking the growth in circulation of his magazine to this realization.

"MY VIEWS ON UFO'S AND THE APOLLO TWELVE MISSION" by Faker

The author expresses a lack of interest in witnessing UFOs, stating that if they exist, so be it. However, they are interested in the unknown. If they were to see a UFO, they would 'RUN' rather than stand and watch, despite their interest.

"SPACE TRAVEL A LOAD OF BULL" by Carol Brown

Carol Brown expresses skepticism about space travel, particularly the moon landings, calling it 'a load of rubbish'. She questions the necessity of isolation for astronauts if they found nothing wrong. She suggests that the moon landings might have only been to the 'other side of the Earth' and that the motivation is primarily for praise. Despite her skepticism, she admits to being intrigued by clear photos of the Moon and men walking on it.

"MOON PART OF THE EARTH?" by John Sullivan

John Sullivan proposes a hypothesis that the Moon was once part of the Earth, breaking away during the molten stage and later cooling to form craters as gas bubbles escaped.

"OPPORTUNITY FOR ASTRONOMY" by John Sullivan

Sullivan laments that Britain is wasting its time in astronomy and the space race, as the government prioritizes other projects. He believes Britain was once ahead in space exploration but failed to finance such projects.

"EXAMINING OTHER UFO LITERATURE: SPACELINK"

This section provides advice on reading UFO literature, cautioning against being influenced by 'Junk Material'. It recommends relying on the reputation of authors and publishing companies. 'Space Drive' aims to summarize and help readers decide what is worth reading, with this issue focusing on 'SPACELINK'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine strongly advocates for an open-minded, scientific approach to the study of UFOs and space exploration. It encourages research, hypothesis generation, and the sharing of information, while also acknowledging the need for entertainment and broader scientific coverage. The editorial stance is one of exploration and inquiry, seeking to demystify complex subjects and engage a wide audience of enthusiasts and researchers. There is a clear emphasis on private research and the potential for independent scientific advancement outside of official channels. The magazine also highlights the importance of community and collaboration within the UFO and space enthusiast circles.

SPACE-DRIVE, Issue 1, Volume 1, dated January 1970, is a free magazine published by E. Harris in the UK. It aims to explore the structure and complexity of UFOs and apply this to ESCD (presumably an organization) and their experiments, with a motto of 'FOR TOMORROW-ONE STEP BEYOND'. The magazine is produced on an old machine to save costs, and relies on donations.

Editorial Stance and Content

The editorial stance of SPACE-DRIVE appears to be critical and 'ultra critical', aiming to 'weed out the good from the bad' in the UFO field. The magazine critiques other UFO publications, including 'FLYING SAUCER REVIEW' and 'SPACELINK', suggesting they do not cater to amateurs and that 'INTERPLANETARY NEWS' would be better off if it did not exist.

SPACELINK Magazine Review

The magazine reviews 'SPACELINK', describing it as one of the most important UFO magazines to read. The managing editor, Lionel Beer, is characterized as a down-to-earth person who is critical of struggling groups that don't meet his standards. While praising SPACELINK's sharpness and its ability to 'tear the truth from the fiction', the review also notes Beer's critical remarks about other magazines, questioning if it's done to boost sales. The reviewer recommends SPACELINK but advises caution regarding its critical statements.

David Prockter's Departure from ISTRG

An article titled 'Why I am HERE' features David Prockter, who has left the ISTR Group (UK) for good. Prockter, who joined ISTR in 1965 at 13, wrote articles for the group and was considered the life and soul of the club. He is now writing freelance for various magazines, including 'AURO', 'DAPRO', 'STAR', and 'COSMOS'. He expresses his dissatisfaction with the ISTRG, citing reasons that cannot be put into print, and praises 'Space-Drive' as an original and important magazine.

Moon Babies

An article titled 'Moon Babies' by Mr. E. Harris discusses the concept of inhabitants on the moon. Harris critiques the views of Mrs. June Shepard, who suggested that moon babies would be weaklings due to the moon's gravity and would need to recuperate on Earth. Harris dismisses this as science fiction, arguing that if life is possible on the moon, babies born there would adapt to its conditions.

Lost in Space

The TV series 'Lost in Space' is discussed, noting the growth of actress Angela Cartwright, who plays Penny Robinson. The article highlights how the show has incorporated UFO elements, with a spaceship described as a 'FLYING SAUCER' and the Jupiter 2 spaceship blacking out all power. The series is praised for being improved on the last, with thanks extended to 20th Century Fox Films.

Star Trek and Mr. Spock

A feature on 'The Ears That Point To Stardom' details how makeup artist Fred Phillips created the iconic pointed ears for Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, in the TV series 'Star Trek'. The article explains the fictional reasoning behind the ear shape, relating it to the hot, dry climate of Mr. Spock's home planet, Vulcan, and how the large ears help capture fainter sound waves.

Car of the Future

A sleek, powerful-looking car, used in the film 'Doppelganger', is featured as the 'Car of the future'. The car was put on display outside the Regal Cinema in Edmonton, with 10-year-old Marina Monti and Miss Jie Royes trying out the controls.

Rev. Peter Scothern

An article briefly mentions Rev. Peter Scothern, who has been ministering for over 20 years, transforming lives and healing the incurably. He has preached to large congregations worldwide.

Edward Harris and ESCD

Edward Harris, a 28-year-old from Tottenham, is introduced as the founder of the Interplanetary Space Travel Research Group (ISTR) and the new magazine 'Space-Drive'. He is conducting research into antigravity and electromagnetism with the goal of building his own flying saucer. The ESCD department is also detailed, with an invitation for researchers to share knowledge and join the group for free, with a voluntary donation welcomed. The motto of ESCD is 'FOR TOMORROW-ONE STEP BEYOND'.

Letters to the Editor

Letters from John Parkinson and Mike Parry are included. Parkinson offers to help with material for the journal and suggests a 'swop' of knowledge. Mike Parry acknowledges the magazine's good start and suggests it needs publicity. He also notes the potential for 'mysterious hands' striking those in the UFO field.

Lunar Surface

A photograph and description of the lunar surface are included, noting that over 5% is composed of glassy spherules of various colors, ranging from colorless to opaque, with the largest being 0.4 millimeters in diameter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a critical and investigative approach to UFO phenomena, aiming to separate truth from fiction. There is a strong emphasis on science fiction as a source of inspiration and a platform for exploring future possibilities, particularly in space travel and technology. The publication also highlights the importance of community and shared knowledge within the UFO research field, while maintaining a critical eye on organizations and individuals within it. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims but open to serious research and investigation.

Title: SPACE-DRIVE
Issue: Vol. 1, Issue 2
Date: January 1970

This issue of SPACE-DRIVE magazine delves into ambitious future space projects and the latest developments in lunar exploration.

Mr. Searl's Mooncraft Plans

The lead story introduces Mr. John Searl and his organization, SWALLOW COMMAND, based in Berkshire, UK. Searl claims to have discovered a propulsion method for a 'Levity Disc' capable of reaching the moon. He states that manufacturing costs are increasing and that tracking stations will be necessary for the disc to reach its destination. He also mentions assisting Americans with their space program and the potential need for rescue missions, referencing 'LUNIC ENTERPRISES'. The article notes that SPACE-DRIVE wishes Mr. Searl and LUNIC ENTERPRISES luck and hopes speculation about his organization will cease once the 'Levity Disc' flies.

National Interplanetary Space Travel Association

A significant announcement details the formation of a new club, the National Interplanetary Space Travel Association, under the presidency of Mr. Frank Hyd. This club emerged from the ashes of an 'old established club' and has made arrangements for full cooperation with the American Embassy. The association will produce a new magazine covering all aspects of space, from Astronomy to Ufology, with a name to be announced. SPACE-DRIVE will cease publication as a standalone magazine and become a supplement to the new 'NISTRA JOURNAL'.

Apollo 12 Mission Achievements

The magazine provides a detailed account of the Apollo 12 mission, highlighting the astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean's landing near the Surveyor-3 craft in the Ocean of Storms. The mission lasted 10 days, 4 hours, and 42 minutes, during which the astronauts conducted the most intensive celestial investigation of the moon to date. They explored the Ocean of Storms for nearly 32 hours, covering about 1.5 miles during their moon-walks. Key achievements included retrieving parts of the Surveyor-3 spacecraft, collecting approximately 80 lbs of moon rocks, and deploying a nuclear-powered science station. Scientists praised the astronauts' pinpoint landing and the expected new information about the moon from the collected data and photographs. Dr. Gar Latham of Lamont Geological Observatory commented that the mission proved the worth of manned space missions.

Apollo 13 Mission Preview

Information is provided on the upcoming Apollo 13 mission, scheduled for launch on March 12. The target landing site is the Fra Mauro formation, located about 150 miles southeast of the Apollo 12 landing site. This area is described as a rugged, cratered formation in the foothills of a vast highland region. Lunar experts believe this area may contain an upheaval of lava rock from deep within the moon's interior. Apollo 13 astronauts will undertake two journeys to collect samples of the heavy blanket covering the formation, using a drill to obtain them.

Lunar Exploration Vehicles

The magazine looks ahead to the future with descriptions of new vehicles for lunar exploration. The 'lunar jeep', a lightweight, wire-mesh wheeled vehicle, is expected to be used on later Apollo missions (Apollo 17-20) to allow for more extensive exploration. It weighs about 1,300 lbs on Earth but less than 200 lbs in lunar gravity, with a range of up to 10 miles from the landing craft and a top speed of 10 miles per hour.

Additionally, the concept of personal flying vehicles for the moon is introduced with 'Fleep', a one-man flier developed by North-American Rockwell. This vehicle, powered by small rockets using hydrogen peroxide fuel, is designed to make hopping around the moon easier, with the rough surface and lack of atmosphere posing no significant hazards.

Space Shuttles and Space Stations

The future of space transport is discussed, focusing on the development of space shuttles and space stations. After the current Apollo missions conclude in 1972, extended missions to the moon will follow. To explore space further, a large Space Station will be needed, capable of accommodating a number of scientists and technicians, with a projected lifespan of at least 10 years. Re-usable vehicles, known as space shuttles, are being designed to ferry crews to and from these stations. These shuttles will consist of an orbiter vehicle and a booster element, powered by rocket engines. The space station is envisioned as a platform for research that cannot be conducted on Earth, including fundamental physics research, experiments on processes normally dependent on gravity, and biomedical research. Astronomy is also highlighted as a key area of interest for a manned space station.

Lunar Rock Analysis

Analysis of the 48 lbs of lunar rocks and dust brought back by Apollo 11 astronauts has revealed chemical compositions unlike any known Earth rock. This finding has led scientists to question at least one of the three leading theories on the origin of the moon. The differences in moon and Earth chemistry seem to rule out the theory that the moon is a fragment that ripped off the Earth. Notably, no evidence of life or water was found in the moon rocks. Samples from the Sea of Tranquility are dated at least 3,500 million years old, while samples from Apollo 12's Ocean of Storms are approximately 500 million years old.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a forward-looking perspective on space exploration, highlighting technological advancements, ambitious missions, and the scientific potential of space. There is a clear emphasis on the United States' leading role in space programs, with mentions of NASA and collaborations with the American Embassy. The editorial stance appears to be one of enthusiastic support for manned spaceflight and the pursuit of scientific knowledge through space research. The inclusion of Mr. Searl's unconventional plans alongside official NASA programs suggests an openness to a wide range of ideas within the broader field of space exploration.