The ''Journal of the British Interplanetary Society'' (''JBIS'') is a monthly
peer-reviewed
Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work (peers). It functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. Peer review ...
scientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research.
Content
Articles in scientific journals are mostly written by active scientists such as s ...
that was established in 1934. The journal covers research on
astronautics
Astronautics (or cosmonautics) is the theory and practice of travel beyond Earth's atmosphere into outer space. Spaceflight is one of its main applications and space science its overarching field.
The term ''astronautics'' (originally ''astronaut ...
and
space science
Space is the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider ...
and
technology
Technology is the application of knowledge to reach practical goals in a specifiable and reproducible way. The word ''technology'' may also mean the product of such an endeavor. The use of technology is widely prevalent in medicine, science, ...
, including spacecraft design, nozzle theory, launch vehicle design, mission architecture,
space station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a human crew in orbit for an extended period of time, and is therefore a type of space habitat. It lacks major propulsion or landing systems. An orbital station or an orbital space station i ...
s, lunar exploration,
spacecraft propulsion
Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate spacecraft and artificial satellites. In-space propulsion exclusively deals with propulsion systems used in the vacuum of space and should not be confused with space launch or atmospheric e ...
, robotic and manned exploration of the solar system,
interstellar travel
Interstellar travel is the hypothetical travel of spacecraft from one star system, solitary star, or planetary system to another. Interstellar travel is expected to prove much more difficult than interplanetary spaceflight due to the vast diffe ...
,
interstellar communication
Interstellar communication is the transmission of signals between planetary systems. Sending interstellar messages is potentially much easier than interstellar travel, being possible with technologies and equipment which are currently available. Ho ...
s,
extraterrestrial intelligence
Extraterrestrial intelligence (often abbreviated ETI) refers to hypothetical intelligent extraterrestrial life. The question of whether other inhabited worlds might exist has been debated since ancient times. The modern form of the concept emerged ...
,
philosophy
Philosophy (from , ) is the systematized study of general and fundamental questions, such as those about existence, reason, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved. Some ...
, and
cosmology
Cosmology () is a branch of physics and metaphysics dealing with the nature of the universe. The term ''cosmology'' was first used in English in 1656 in Thomas Blount (lexicographer), Thomas Blount's ''Glossographia'', and in 1731 taken up in ...
. It is published monthly by the
British Interplanetary Society
The British Interplanetary Society (BIS), founded in Liverpool in 1933 by Philip E. Cleator, is the oldest existing space advocacy organisation in the world. Its aim is exclusively to support and promote astronautics and space exploration.
Str ...
.
History
The journal was established in 1934 when the British Interplanetary Society was founded. The inaugural editorial stated:
''The ultimate aim of the society, of course, is the conquest of space and thence interplanetary travel.....(the) immediate task is the stimulation of public interest in the subject of interplanetary travel and the dissemination of knowledge concerning the true nature of the difficulties which as present hinder its achievements''.[Interplanetary A History of The British Interplanetary Society, Bob Parkinson, BIS Publication, 2008.]
The first issue was only a six-page
pamphlet
A pamphlet is an unbound book (that is, without a hard cover or binding). Pamphlets may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths, called a ''leaflet'' or it may consist of a ...
, but has the distinction of being the world's oldest surviving astronautical publication.
Notable papers
![jbisdaedalus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Jbisdaedalus.JPG)
Notable papers published in the journal include:
* The B.I.S Space-Ship, H.E.Ross, ''JBIS'', 5, pp. 4–9, 1939
* The Challenge of the Spaceship (Astronautics and its Impact Upon Human Society),
Arthur C. Clarke, ''JBIS'', 6, pp. 66–78, 1946
* Atomic rocket papers by Les Shepherd, Val Cleaver and others, 1948-1949.
* Interstellar Flight, L.R.Shepherd, ''JBIS'', 11, pp. 149–167, 1952
* A Programme for Achieving Interplanetary Flight, A.V.Cleaver, ''JBIS'', 13, pp. 1–27, 1954
* Special Issue on World Ships, ''JBIS'', 37, 6, June 1984
*
Project Daedalus
Project Daedalus (named after Daedalus, the Greek mythological designer who crafted wings for human flight) was a study conducted between 1973 and 1978 by the British Interplanetary Society to design a plausible uncrewed interstellar probe.Pro ...
- Final Study Reports, Alan Bond & Anthony R Martin et al., Special Supplement JBIS, pp.S1-192, 1978
Editors
Some of the people that have been
editor-in-chief
An editor-in-chief (EIC), also known as lead editor or chief editor, is a publication's editorial leader who has final responsibility for its operations and policies.
The highest-ranking editor of a publication may also be titled editor, managing ...
of the journal are:
* Philip E. Cleator
* J. Hardy
* Gerald V. Groves
* Anthony R. Martin
*
Mark Hempsell
Mark Hempsell is a British aerospace engineer and CEO of Hempsell Astronautics Ltd. which is currently designing the Universal Space Interface Standard (USIS), a system which aims to standardise berthing, docking and attachment of satellites and ...
* Chris Toomer
* Kelvin Long
See also
*
''Spaceflight'' (magazine)
References
External links
*
British Interplanetary Society
{{DEFAULTSORT:Journal Of The British Interplanetary Society
Space science journals
Publications established in 1934
Planetary engineering
Monthly journals
English-language journals
1934 establishments in the United Kingdom