fut/PARSECS_v_c_o_EKC (ca. 1959/60 Boeing Airplane Co. photo no. 2A 35301)

“PARSECS stands for "Program for Astronomical Research and Scientific Experiments Concerning Space". It was a major effort by Boeing starting from late 1957 to at least 1960, under the Model 854, 855 and 856 designations. Boeing envisioned, with input from prominent scientists and astronomers a complete manned and automatic space exploration program. The subject was covered in numerous reports and papers, one of which I've been able to locate and on which I base this brief post. In this paper at least, Boeing focused on the space segment of the program, composed by very advanced and complex structures, to be launched and assembled in orbit. The booster is not described but from a couple of hints it is assumed as something like the original Nova described by Rosen and Swenck in late 1959. Taxi from Earth to orbit is performed by a delta-winged glider, similar to the original Boeing proposal for Dyna Soar. As with the booster, the glider is taken as a given. PARSECS is organized around Missions, numbered from I to VIII, but this doesn't imply a chronological succession. The missions are:

- Mission I: Satellite Observatory
- Mission II: Moon Base
- Mission III: Counter Moon
- Mission IV: Interplanetary Probes - automatic
- Mission V: Close Solar Orbit - automatic
- Mission VI: Trojan Points Observatories
- Mission VII: Out-of-the-Elliptic
- Mission VIII: Planetary Explorations”

Above per a Jun 14, 2006 posting by user “Skybolt”, at the SECRET PROJECTS Forum website (registration required to satisfactorily view…and frankly, highly recommended, regardless), at:

www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/parsecs-1960.7039/

Further, pertaining to the image itself:

“…Mission VIII covers manned exploration of the planets. Pictured is Model 856-6001, that is clearly a vehicle intended for Saturn exploration. The basic module is mated to a long truss with a nuclear reactor at the end and fuel tanks in the middle. The engine seems to be an ion-thruster, judging by the relative size of the tanks. A long trip time is assumed. The basic module hasn't provisions for artificial G, so that could be a problem. Boeing recognizes that these are long term projects and that the definitive design could well be very different. Nevertheless, all-in-all PARSECS was one of the first comprehensive space exploration proposals that looked to be feasible with reasonable time and efforts.
A final note: At the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, Boeing displayed lavishly illustrated panels as part of the “World Of Tomorrow” Pavilion/Exhibit, devoted to space exploration. I've never been able to find close-up photos of those displays, but it could well have been PARSECS, or a further evolution…

Source of the info and the images is: " An Interplanetary Exploratory Vehicle", a paper presented by Wellwood E.Beall, Senior Vice-President of Boeing - Seattle Division, at the SAE National Aeronautic Meeting, New York, April 5-8 1960. Paper is available via the SAE International website.”

Above per a Jun 21, 2009 posting by user “Skybolt”, at the SECRET PROJECTS Forum website, it being the same as linked to previously.

A wonderful & optimistic vision, back when Boeing was reputable & competent. And, as if where we are - AREN'T - (in space) isn't disappointing enough, reading the paper depressingly also makes me long for the way/style in which learned & articulate adults used to write, not the current rampant butchering of the English language, let alone the vile content.
And it’s only one of the endless indicators we’re imploding…precipitously. Sadly, deservedly as well. The “SELF-DESTRUCT” button has been pushed. The duration of the countdown is the only unknown.

Enough gloom & doom, back to what’s really important – the conscientious preservation of space exploration/space travel imagery - amidst all the impending carnage & ruin!!!
What a gorgeous work, by one of many brilliant Boeing artists over the years, in this instance, Robert Fetterly.
And, self-servingly, to punctuate its ‘oldness’, the verso bears the repeating letters/logo of "EKC". This Eastman Kodak Company backprint technique pre-dates the introduction of the vintage & coveted "A KODAK PAPER" watermarked photographic paper.
So, to put everything into proper perspective…end-of-the-world…sure, why not, bring it (upon ourselves). We’ve certainly earned it.
In the meantime, enjoy the view.

Taken on: April 16, 2022

Tags:

space exploration

visionary

EKC

Eastman Kodak Company

glossy photo

Mission 8

Mission VIII

ringed planet

Saturn’s rings

Saturn

planet Saturn

composition

dramatic

spaceship

spacecraft

space flight

planetary exploration

interplanetary exploration

interplanetary spacecraft

Boldly Go

Human Space Flight

Manned Space Flight

Manned Spacecraft

PARSECS

Program for Astronomical Research and Scientific Experiments Concerning Space

Boeing

Boeing Aircraft Company

Fetterly

Bob Fetterly

Robert Fetterly

artist rendering

artist concept

artist’s rendering

artist’s concept « less

Sets appears in: • Breaking The Bonds & Firsts • Satellites: Views By/Views Of more » • Miscellaneous • Mariners To Mars, Mercury & Venus • Vikings, Pathfinders & Global Surveyors To Mars • Pioneers & Voyagers « less

Groups appears in: • Space Exploration • Space art. more » • OUT OF THIS WORLD • Solar system and planets • Space The Final Frontier • BLAST OFF! to Yesterday's Future • Mid-century Space Illustration • Space stuff • Space & Astronauts « less

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