Ex Mundo Astronautic0

In Memoriam

GLMAV SCHUBERT 1897-1976

Professor Dr. med. Gustav Schubert died 11 May 1976, followmg a short illness. He was a member

of the International Academy of Astronautics since l%O The Academy has lost m him a pioneer of

aviation physiology. Schubert was born m Knma, now Czechoslovakia, in 1897. Durmg WW I he

served as navigator with a flight squadron. This experience determined his subsequent interest m

aerospace medicine. Schubert studied medicine at the Charles University in Prague He joined A v

Tschermak-Seysenegg at the Department of Physiology there, and was appointed “Dozent” m 1928.

He pursued research and postgraduate training at the Institute for Aerodynamics m Gottmgen, the

Institute for Aeromedicme m Hamburg, the Institute Paul Bert in Paris and the High Altitude

Research Station on Monte Rosa, Italy. In 1935 Schubert published a monograph, Phys~olog~e des

Menschen im Flugzeug, which remains a unique attempt at combinmg occupational physiology with

basic research. The book was reprinted m the U S.A m 1%1. Schubert’s trammg m Prague sharpened

his keen talent for self-experimentation m sensory physiology. The description of the effect of Corlohs

force opened a new vista into the mechanism of spatlal orientation, and has become fundamental

during every discussion of space habitat. Schubert received deserved recognition only after WW II

because of his pohtical convictions. At that time he was appointed director of the Institute for

Physiology at the University of Vienna. He remained active beyond his emeritation in I%8 In those

years all students of medicine at the University of Vienna benefited from his penetrating analysis and

expert interpretation of physiology TOPICS from sensory physiology and aerospace medicine dominate

the more than 200 pubhcatlons of Schubert, mostly results of mductlve experimentation When disease

caused a temporary speech impediment, Schubert continued to plan and supervise experiments at the

aeromedical facility in Rome, regretting only that his command of Italian had not returned yet

Schubert fostered the mternational exchange of scientific information, he treasured friendships

reaching into many countries and disciphnes, and he considered it a special prlvdege to be a member of

the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Academy of Avlatlon Me&me HIS

methods of research and areas of interest have been followed by peers and former students m Vienna

and abroad We honor with great respect the memory of Prof Schubert, a founder of aerospace

medicine whose life and personal work spanned flymg by the seat-of-the-pants to orbltmg space

vehicles

Hansjoerg E Kolder

WERNER HEISENBERG 1901-1976

When Werner Helsenberg passed away m his 75th year on I February 1976, all those who had met

him during his rich life were touched deeply. The great sympathy expressed by friends and scientists

all over the world is a testimony of the respect, reverence and affection shown to him everywhere

Thus we remember the physicist whose thoughts and ideas changed the physical perceptions of our

generation lastingly.

We remember the philosopher who established links between the two moving powers of our

culture: the humanities on one hand and the sciences of the other

We remember the skdlful teacher who prepared the way for many students and who taught them

the right spirit of how to carry out research

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