Stamp Profile
Austria
UN Space Conference in Vienna
Issue Date: 09/08/1982
On November 17, 1978, the UN General Assembly adopted
Resolution 33/16 calling for a second UN conference on the
exploration and peaceful utilisation of outer space (UNISPACE 82).
In November 1980, the General Assembly accepted the invitation
of the Austrian government to host the conference in Vienna from
August 9 to 21. The first UN Space Conference was also held in
Vienna in 1968.
From that time until 1982, space technology had progressed
considerably, and undreamed-of perspectives had opened up for
the future. These new opportunities and their significance for mankind and future
generations were among the topics to be discussed at this major conference.
While the conference was held at Vienna's Hofburg conference centre, a space
exhibition was organised at the Viennese Messepalast fair centre featuring
demonstrations of satellite transmission. The public was informed about the state of
the art in space technology and the success of its peaceful utilisation to the benefit of
mankind. The stamp shows the take-off of a rocket.
© Austria Post Office
Austria
Austro Mir 91 - The First Austrian in Space
Issue Date: 02/10/1991
On the occasion of a state visit in 1987, then Soviet Foreign
Minister Ryschov laid before the Austrian government a proposal
to coordinate a joint Soviet- Austrian mission to the Mir space
station. In spite of the high financing costs, the Council of
Ministers decided to accept this offer on April 5, 1988 and in
October the relevant treaty was signed.
This treaty marked the birth of the Austro Mir Project. Lift off to the space station
occurred using a Soyus- TM-rocket, in which engineer Franz Viehboeck traveled as
the first Austrian in space. A series of technical and medical experiments were
performed in cooperation with Soviet astronauts and one thousand of these
commemorative stamps illustrating the space station accompanied the team on their
flight.
© Austria Post Office
Austria
100th Birthday of Space Pioneer Hermann Potocnik
Issue Date: 27/11/1992
The stamp's motif gives away its theme. The discoveries of space
pioneer Hermann Potocnik are closely linked to modern
communications technology. Hermann Potocnik, born the son of an
imperial navy doctor on December 22, 1892 in Pola, Istria, is
considered the inventor of the geo-stationary synchronized orbital
path, one of the fundamental basis of modern satellite and communications
technology.
The path of orbit, at an altitude of roughly 36,000 kilometers, guarantees optimal
transfer of radio waves. For many years, however, international recognition for this
pioneering discovery was denied Potocnik. Only during a congress from April 24-25,
1976 was the significance of his discovery to contemporary space exploration and
space travel confirmed, albeit posthumously, before an audience of aerospace
scientists, cosmologists, and political and economic personalities.
Already in 1929 Potocnik wanted to establish a manned space station on this orbital
route, however, at the time it was not known that it is unsuitable for manned flights
since it is situated outside earth's magnetic field and influenced by solar winds.
Potocnik, who published under the pseudonym Noordung died on August 27, 1929 at
the age of 37.
© Austria Post Office
Europe in Space
Norway
Issue Date: 16/04/1991
Norway's contribution to the CEPT Europa
series of stamps featuring "Europe in Spaces"
illustrate on the 3.20 stamp the TRUMSO
Satellite Station established in 1967. It is
amongst other things, a receiving station for
earth observation satellites in Polar Orbit.
The 4.00 stamp features the Andoya Rocket Range which have been in operation
since 1962. About 500 rockets and 200 balloons have been sent up from the rocket
range.
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