The relationship of the aircraft industry and some present programs to future space activities is discussed. The importance of space research and exploration is indicated as justification for ambitious programs. Objectives of various space-research missions are given and the organization of missions and objectives in the Boeing “Program for Astronomical Research and Scientific Experiments Concerning Space” (PARSECS) is shown. Conceptual vehicles for each mission are presented. The problems of space-vehicle design are discussed and the considerations leading to a particular design concept are shown. A general-purpose space capsule resulting from these considerations is presented.
