Space Drive - 1971 No 08

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE DRIVE
Issue: 8
Date: 1971
Publisher: ESCD
Country: England
Price: 15p
Cover Headline: NOW IN FULL COLOUR

This issue of SPACE DRIVE, number 8, is dedicated to space research and marks a significant advancement with its publication in full colour. The editor, Edward A. Harris, details his personal efforts in developing a self-invented photographic method for colour separation, expressing his thrill and hope that this will lead to a better quality magazine. The cover itself features artwork of Saturn and a spacecraft, along with the prominent declaration of being "NOW IN FULL COLOUR."

Editorial Stance and Production

The editorial section highlights the challenges and triumphs of achieving full-colour reproduction. The editor explains the experimental nature of this issue's colour work, seeking reader feedback on three different colour systems used. He acknowledges the imperfections in colour registration, attributing them to the use of dated equipment, but remains determined to improve. The magazine also appeals to readers for support, emphasizing that reader input is crucial for its development. Subscription details are provided, offering various options for receiving future issues, including a special offer for a year's supply in colour.

Letters to the Editor

The "Letters to Your Editor" section features correspondence from various individuals and organizations. Derek Salipson from NICAP GB announces that Space Drive will be affiliated with HICAP. Malcolm Jay expresses his mixed feelings about the magazine, finding the pictures "bloody awful" but is still developing UFO detectors. Norman Oliver of COS-MOS requests clarification on the voting for the "Top Ten" magazines and suggests omitting letters from individuals who haven't yet seen the magazine. The editor's reply clarifies that the "Top Ten Poll" was based on hearsay and announces plans for a national and international poll to gather more accurate figures.

Jeremey Holden from Australia inquires about recent issues of UFO OBSERVOR and confirms his involvement with ISTRG. Carol Halford-Watkins from Canada provides positive feedback and offers a special write-up for Space Drive in her publication, TOFSIDE. She also expresses interest in an article by Brinsley. The editor responds warmly to her letter, quoting "A Man of Words and not deeds is like a garden full of weeds" to describe his commitment to improving Space Drive.

Articles and Features

Man in Space: The Shape of Things to Come

This section explores future concepts in manned space flight, including the design of an inevitable Space Station and a giant two-winged shuttle for delivering men and cargo. It also discusses the lunar rover used in the Apollo-15 mission, featuring astronauts Charles Duke and John Young. The article touches upon the advancements in space travel and the potential of lunar material, with scientists studying the effects of moon dust on plant growth. Tests at NASA's Mannen Spacecraft Centre in Houston, Texas, indicated that lunar dust not only failed to harm plants but also promoted faster growth in several species, including liverwort and fern. The magazine proposes a hypothesis that the absence of bacteria or micro-organisms in the untampered moon soil might be responsible for this enhanced growth, likening it to untouched natural environments like Epping Forest.

Moontime?

This segment discusses a lunar watch, which was previously featured in the last issue. The watch, now on display at the Harden Planetarium in New York, is noted for its timekeeping based on "lunours." However, it is pointed out that the watch does not immediately solve all time-keeping problems on the moon, as a standardized time reference like the Greenwich meridian is needed for astronauts to agree on the time.

Apollo 16 News

Astronaut John W. Young is named as the commander for the Apollo 16 mission, scheduled for launch in March 1972, marking his fourth space flight.

Apollo 15 Mission Details

The magazine provides details about the Apollo 15 mission, including its ambitious scope, duration of 12 days with six spent on the moon, and the planned activities of the two surface explorers, Col. David B. Scott and Lt. Col. James B. Irwin. They are expected to spend a record 20 hours working on the moon and will have the ability to ride around on the surface. The third crew member, Major Alfred M. Worden, will remain in lunar orbit.

Astronomy

An introduction to the stars by Patrick Moore, taken from "The Observer's Book of Astronomy," explains stellar magnitudes and how they relate to apparent brightness. It details how telescopes extend the visible range of stars and emphasizes that apparent magnitude is not a sole indicator of luminosity due to varying distances. The article also mentions Venus and the Sun's magnitudes.

Space News from Russia

Reports from the Soviet Union include the launch of the Salyut orbital scientific station on April 19th, 1971, for research and development. Details of its orbit are provided. The completion of Lunokhod 1's sixth lunar day is noted, highlighting the complex maneuvers and power expenditures. The launch of a Meteor satellite for weather information and a geophysical rocket probe for studying the solar corona are also mentioned. Samples of lunar soil from Luna 16 were presented to French specialists for study, and a new Soviet book on space, "SPACE AND MAN," is announced.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SPACE DRIVE strongly emphasizes the theme of technological advancement in space exploration, from the design of future spacecraft to the ongoing missions of various space agencies. The magazine also highlights the personal dedication of its editor in overcoming production challenges, particularly in achieving full-colour printing. The editorial stance is one of continuous improvement and a desire to engage readers in the magazine's development, as evidenced by the call for feedback on the colour systems and the planned reader poll. There is a clear focus on providing information about both Western and Soviet space programs, reflecting a broad interest in the field. The inclusion of UFO-related correspondence alongside scientific space news suggests a dual focus or an acknowledgment of the broader ufology community's interests.