In this and a following issue (Vol. VIII, 1962, Fasc. 2-3) of "Astronautica Acta" there will appear the papers presented at the first international symposium sponsored by the International Academy of Astronautics of the International Astronautical Federation. The theme of the meeting was "Space Flight and Re-Entry Trajectories." It was held at Louveciennes outside of Paris on June 19-21, 1961. Sixteen papers by authors from nine countries were presented; attendees numbered from 80 to 100. The organizing committee for the symposium was as follows: Prof. PAUL A. LIBBY, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, U.S.A., Chairman; Prof. LuiGI BROGLIO, University of Rome, Italy; Prof. B. FRAEIJS DE VEUBEKE, University of Liege, Belgium; Dr. D. G. KING-HELE, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, Rants, United Kingdom; Prof. J. M. J. KooY, Royal Military School, Breda, Netherlands; Prof. JEAN KovALEVSKY, Bureau des Longitudes, Paris, France; Prof. RuDOLF PESEK, Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia. The detailed arrangements for the meeting were made in a most satisfactory manner by Dr. FRANK J. MALINA, Deputy Director of IAA and Mr. A. R. WEILLER, Acting Secretary of IAA. Prof. THEODORE VON KARMAN, Director of IAA, in his remarks closing the symposium indicated his satisfaction at the interest being shown in "the science of the future." The papers which follow will make a permanent contribution to the literature of this science.

The High Temperature Aspects of Hypersonic Flow is a record of the proceedings of the AGARD-NATO Specialists' Meeting, held at the Technical Centre for Experimental Aerodynamics, Rhode-Saint-Genese, Belgium in April 1962. The book contains the papers presented during the meeting that tackled a broad range of topics in the aspects of hypersonic flow. The subjects covered during the meeting include pressure measurements, interference effects, the use of wind tunnels in aircraft development testing, high temperature gas characteristics, boundary layer research, stability and control and the use of rocket vehicles in flight research. Aerospace engineers and aeronautical engineers will find the book invaluable.

An Earth-return mode for interplanetary spacecraft via hyperbolic rendezvous is described. In this mode an orbit-to-orbit shuttle leaves a circular Earth orbit, performs a rendezvous with a returning interplanetary spacecraft as it approaches Earth on a hyperbolic trajectory, docks and performs desired transfers, and deboosts back into a circular Earth orbit while the spacecraft continues on its hyperbolic path. Two basic flight modes are proposed, and the equations for analyzing the maneuvers are derived. The initial mass in Earth orbit required fora rendezvous system utilizing chemical or nuclear propulsion compares favorably with the initial masses in Earth orbit chargeable to transport of some conventional Earth-return systems to a target planet and back. In addition, the maneuver has considerable merit as a backup and rescue system. For typical missions, orbit-to-orbit shuttles having initial masses in Earth orbit of up to 500 000 kg are required.

Characteristics of six types of flight paths for the deceleration from circular and supercircular speeds are developed in closed form. The heating rate, heat input per square foot obtained from an integration over the flight path, the total heat vehicle, and the flight-path histories in terms of path angle, altitude, life coefficient, net acceleration, angle of attack and Reynolds number are discussed as a function of type of flight plan, initial net accelertion, and initial velocity. A flight plan with essentially a point landing capability is suggested. (Author).