Inventing a Space Mission The Story of the Herschel Space Observatory Preface

This introduction presents some of the characteristics of space missions and considers why they are stimulating for a study on innovation and why the Herschel Space Observatory offers a particularly rich example for engaging an epistemology of innovation. Our socio-technological study assesses the historical, structural and sociological aspects, which are discussed in the book. The first three chapters describe the conditions which framed the Herschel story from invention through development, in-orbit operation and scientific discoveries. The second part of the book analyses the key innovations on which the main elements of Herschel relied and the complex management structure adopted among all partners involved. Finally, we discuss the role of innovation and of risk management in view of the need to foster creativity and ambition for the next generations of instruments. (authors)