Rockwell International Integrated Space Plan

In 1989, Rockwell International released a poster-sized chart that summarized a flow of advancements and accomplishments--predictions really--that would evolve the human race from its terrestrial basis and infrequent probings into space, into a race that was based on several bodies in the solar system and traveling at speeds that--well you get the idea. The timeframe? 50 years. A copy of this flow chart is on display at the Proteus Gowanus Gallery (543 Union Street, Brooklyn NY). I had the pleasure of seeing it on the way into the Sigils and Signs show in the Observatory room, and intrigued, I took some photos of this plan. Was this "integrated space plan" still on schedule? How were doing as a species? 1989 - 2012. How accurately had Rockwell mapped our journey into space?

I love how the chart reveals ambition and imbues that ambition with soaring positivist energy.  It's progress not just for Rockwell, but clearly for the human race. This chart basically maps our evolution as a species. Even for an aerospace company (the company is no-more), Rockwell couldn't have designed all of the technologies on this flow chart. The language of the chart reveals that Rockwell sees itself as part of a larger initiative to move humanity from Earth to the solar system--and the stars. The chart audaciously lays out the technologies and the time needed to do this, and the chart speaks firmly: "HUMAN CIVILIZATION EVOLVES TO EXPLORE EXTRATERRESTRIAL RESOURCES," "ROUTINE ACCESS TO SPACE ACHIEVED," "ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY INCREASE," "HUMAN EXPANSION INTO THE INNER SOLAR SYSTEM BEGINS," "HUMANITY COMMANDS UNLIMITED RESOURCES FROM THE MOON AND ASTEROIDS - UNLIMITED SAFE SOLAR ENERGY FOR EARTH," "GAIA PROLIFERATES," "HUMANITY BEGINS TRANSITION FROM A TERRESTRIAL TO A SOLAR SPECIES." These are the headings for large circles that encompass several accomplishments at certain periods along the timeline. It's inspiring. 

That inspiration is clearly there for a reason. Inspire people enough and funding starts to pour into the company with the clearest vision. Am I being cynical? Not really. The chart serves multiple purposes. Yes, it is designed to function similarly to a business plan, but it also serves to inspire. A little kitschy? Sure. Naked hubris? Pretty much. Too ambitious of a dream to achieve by 2043? Yes. But man, what an amazing dream.

Please excuse the poor quality of the photos. The timeline starts at the top of the poster and moves downward into the future. Thanks goes to artist Debra Tillinger for bringing this poster to light--I have been unable to track down another copy online or through my library's databases. Her marginalia is insightful, but I took few photos of the marginalia because I wanted to focus on the language and design of the plan itself.

As I mentioned, I have been unable to track this down electronically. However, I did find it referenced online in a bibliographic citation as

Jones, R. M., “Integrated Space Plan (Preliminary),” Rockwell International, PUB 3547-H, 1981.

 If you are searching for this poster, I hope this helps.