Space science and the Arab world : astronauts, observatories and nationalism in the Middle East

Author(s)

• Determann, Jörg Matthias

Bibliographic Information

Space science and the Arab world : astronauts, observatories and nationalism in the Middle East

Jörg Matthias Determann

（Library of modern Middle East studies, 215）

I.B. Tauris, 2018

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [198]-237) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

When Sultan bin Salman left Earth on the shuttle Discovery in 1985, he became the first Arab, first Muslim and first member of a royal family in space. Twenty-five years later, the discovery of a planet 500 light years away by the Qatar Exoplanet Survey - subsequently named `Qatar-1b' - was evidence of the cutting-edge space science projects taking place across the Middle East. This book identifies the individuals, institutions and national ideologies that enabled Arab astronomers and researchers to gain support for space exploration when Middle East governments lacked interest. Jorg Matthias Determann shows that the conquest of space became associated with national prestige, security, economic growth and the idea of an `Arab renaissance' more generally. Equally important to this success were international collaborations: to benefit from American and Soviet expertise and technology, Arab scientists and officials had to commit to global governance of space and the common interests of humanity. Challenging the view that the golden age of Arabic science and cosmopolitanism was situated in the medieval period, Determann tells the story of the new discoveries and scientific collaborations taking place from the 19th century to the present day. An innovative contribution to Middle East studies and history of science, the book also appeals to increased business, media and political interest in the Arab space industry.

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES 1. ARAB WORLD SCIENCE 2. NATIONALISM AND COSMOPOLITANISM States and stars Space Arabism Modern Islamic astronomy Crossing the cosmos 3. EAST COAST AND NEAR EAST COLLEGES Collegiate connections Eclipse expeditions Researching astronomy and its Arab history 4. STARS OF SCIENCE Hot spots Geology of the Moon Developing deserts Koftagate 5. SPACE PIONEERS Artificial moons 'The frog and prince flight' One planet Cosmonauts' cosmopolitanism 6. THE ARABS' FINAL FRONTIER Hope Global networks Epilogue: Space heritage and the Arab world ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Style ABREVIATIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY Interviews Primary sources Secondary sources

by "Nielsen BookData"

• NCID: BB27840160
• ISBN:
  • 9781788310147
• Country Code: uk
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: London
• Pages/Volumes: xiv, 258 p.
• Size: 23 cm
• Classification:
  • DC23 : 520.956
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Outer space -- Exploration -- Middle East
  • LCSH : Outer space -- Exploration -- Economic aspects -- Middle East
  • LCSH : Outer space -- Exploration -- Political aspects -- Middle East
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA25731655