UFO Mail - No 234 - 2017

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-Mail, dated March 2, 2017, titled "Rumfarten fylder 60 år i 2017" (Space Travel Turns 60 in 2017), focuses on the 60-year journey of space exploration, from the early Soviet Sputniks to the achievements of Danish astronauts. It highlights the long history of the Danish Society for Space Research (DSR), founded in 1949, and its contributions to promoting space knowledge in Denmark.

Space Travel's 60-Year Journey

The article by Ole Henningsen traces the evolution of space travel over six decades, noting the incredible advancements made. It recalls the author's childhood attempts to spot Sputniks and contrasts it with meeting a Danish astronaut who had visited the International Space Station (ISS). The Danish government's investment of 350 million Danish kroner over three years to advance space activities through businesses, researchers, and authorities is also mentioned.

Danish Society for Space Research (DSR)

The DSR, originally known by alternative names like Dansk Astronautisk Forening and Dansk Interplanetarisk Selskab, was inspired by international societies like the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) and Germany's Verein für Raumschiffs-fahrt (VfR). Erling Buch Andersen served as its first chairman. The society's aim was to disseminate knowledge about space travel. It continues to exist and publishes the journal "Dansk Rumfart," which in its 2016 issue featured articles on phenomena like blue jets and red sprites, observed by Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen from the ISS.

Early Danish Involvement and UFOs

An article from 1945 by Erling Buch Andersen, written shortly after World War II, discussed space travel, referencing the V2 rocket program. This was published in the popular astronomical journal URANIA. The DSR became a member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) early on and participated in its congresses. The issue touches upon the public fascination with "flying saucers" in the 1950s, with teacher C. Wm. Kiørboe founding the Dansk Interplanetarisk Selskab for Contact (DISC) to collect reports. The DSR, to avoid confusion, adopted the name Dansk Astronautisk Forening.

Hermann Oberth and UFOs

Professor Hermann Oberth, considered a father of rocketry and an honorary member of DSR, was actively involved in the UFO field. He lectured on his belief in UFOs as spacecraft from other worlds. While Wernher von Braun, Oberth's former student, expressed respect but disagreement on the UFO topic, stating he had never seen proof, he acknowledged the possibility. The article also references Dr. Walther Riedel, who collected UFO observations and was convinced of extraterrestrial visitation, citing reasons such as impossible speeds and maneuvers for human technology.

Modern Space Exploration and Danish Contributions

The magazine highlights the recent surge in interest in space exploration, partly due to Andreas Mogensen's mission to the ISS. An event celebrating the one-year anniversary of his mission featured speeches by Danish officials and an interview with Mogensen and Russian cosmonaut Sergej Volkov. The DSR continues to publish "Dansk Rumfart," featuring articles on topics like blue jets, red sprites, exoplanets, and Cubesats. The society's vision for 2017 is to foster a community for space activities in Denmark and promote international collaboration.

Future Prospects and Events

The issue outlines significant space events planned for 2017, including multiple crewed missions to the ISS, the development of small satellite constellations for global internet access by SpaceX and OneWeb, and the Juno mission's continued exploration of Jupiter. The Cassini mission's final phase around Saturn and China's planned lunar sample return mission are also mentioned. The upcoming TESS satellite mission aims to discover exoplanets. A special event featuring astronaut Andreas Mogensen in Holeby, Lolland, is announced, focusing on space exploration and the "Globen" visual display.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical development of space exploration, Denmark's role and contributions, the persistent interest in UFO phenomena, and the future of space science. The editorial stance appears to be one of celebrating space achievements while maintaining a scientific perspective, acknowledging the historical fascination with UFOs but framing the current understanding of the phenomenon as a post-war myth. The DSR is presented as a vital organization for promoting space awareness and research in Denmark.