SPACECRAFTER

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACECRAFTER
Issue: Vol. III, No. 1
Date: November 1959
Publisher: Spacecraft Research Association of Phoenix, Arizona
Type: Non-Profit Organization Publication

Content Summary

This issue of Spacecrafter magazine, dated November 1959, covers a diverse range of topics, blending scientific reports with ufological and New Age perspectives. The cover features a hand-drawn illustration of Earth with a flying saucer, setting the tone for the publication's focus.

Cover Story and Announcements

The main cover headline is simply the magazine title, "SPACECRAFTER." The publication is identified as being from the Spacecraft Research Association, based in Phoenix, Arizona, and operating as a non-profit organization. It is noted that the magazine is in its second year of publication and that the current issue is Vol. III, No. 1, dated November 1959.

George King's Lectures and Operation Starlight

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to announcing lectures by George King, a noted saucerian and exponent of the New Age, sponsored by the SRA. King, president of the Aetherius Society of London, was scheduled to speak on November 21 and 22 in Phoenix on "Operation Starlight." These lectures were intended to explain the urgency of this operation and its connection to spiritual progress, involving the charging of power-centered mountains. King's recent activities included charging Mt. Tallac in California and seven mountains in England, with plans to charge five more such spiritual power centers globally.

Scientific and Unexplained Phenomena Reports

The magazine reports on several intriguing events:

• Mysterious 'Dancing Lights': Scientists at NASA were puzzled by unexplained "dancing lights" observed from a giant space balloon launched from Wallops Island, Virginia. The balloon, described as being as large as a 10-story building, exhibited unusual light phenomena, prompting scientists to seek an explanation.
• Ice Balls Falling from Sky: In Martin, Georgia, a 40-pound cube of ice inexplicably fell from the sky, narrowly missing a resident and creating a two-foot square hole in the ground before shattering.
• Closed-Circuit Saucer: In Toronto, Canada, the A.V. Roe Co. was developing a wingless vertical aircraft resembling a flying saucer, approximately 30-40 feet in diameter and powered by electricity. This craft was reportedly televised by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
• Venus Studied: An occultation of the bright star Regulus by Venus occurred on July 7, 1959. Astronomers hoped this event would provide a more accurate measurement of Venus's diameter and offer insights into its atmospheric composition.
• New Submerged Land Found: A UCLA geophysicist discovered a new "land" formation thousands of feet beneath the ocean in the Gulf of California. This area consists of valleys and ridges covered by thick layers of sand and mud, mapped using a gravity meter.
• Dinosaur Discovery: In Hong Kong, Chinese archaeologists found a prehistoric dinosaur believed to be 120 million years old.

Other Sections and Features

• Spacecrafter's New Format: The magazine announces a new format for the publication, soliciting reader feedback.
• About Life Elsewhere: This section touches upon scientific speculation, including Dr. William M. Sinton's indirect evidence suggesting Mars may be covered with plant life, and Soviet scientists' theories about microbes on the moon, seaweed on planets, and the existence of super-intelligent beings in the universe.
• New Books: A list of new and available books is provided, including "Road In The Sky" by George Hunt Williamson, "My Trip to Mars, the Moon and Venus" by Buck Nelson, and several other titles related to space and spiritual exploration.
• What is God?: An article explores the concept of God as an all-intelligent MIND operating through the universe, activated by cosmic forces.
• At Giant Rock: This section mentions George W. Van Tassel and his work at Giant Rock, California, related to the Universal Law of Creation, Life, and Health, which is said to be restored by beings from other planetary regions.
• Phoenix Metaphysical Center: Information about the center and its "Divine Truths" is presented.
• Of Saucer Clubs: An article highlights the significant growth of saucer clubs in the United States and globally, estimating over five thousand such groups. It suggests that the increasing number of these groups will become a potent factor in economics, politics, and religions worldwide.
• Copy Deadline: The deadline for submitting copy for The Spacecrafter is set for the first of each month, with a specific note that the December issue copy must be in by December 1.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Spacecrafter revolve around the unexplained, particularly UFO phenomena, and the intersection of science with spiritual and New Age beliefs. There is a clear editorial stance that supports the investigation of these phenomena, often questioning official explanations (as seen in the editor's note regarding NASA's balloon explanation) and highlighting the growing public interest in flying saucers. The magazine promotes a worldview that includes extraterrestrial intelligence and spiritual advancement, as evidenced by the coverage of George King's lectures and the discussion of "saucer clubs." The publication aims to inform its readers about both scientific discoveries and purported encounters with the unknown, encouraging an open mind towards possibilities beyond conventional understanding.