TY - BOOK ID - 2554899 TI - Launching Europe : an ethnography of European cooperation in space science PY - 1995 SN - 0691029725 0691033706 9786612752162 1400821606 1282752162 1400813956 9781400821600 9780691033709 9780691029726 1400808898 140080888X PB - Princeton, N. J. Princeton University Press DB - UniCat KW - Astronautics KW - Astronautique KW - International cooperation. KW - Coopération internationale KW - Europe KW - Ethnic relations. KW - Relations interethniques KW - Coopération internationale KW - Space sciences KW - Aeronautics KW - Astrodynamics KW - Space flight KW - Space vehicles KW - International cooperation KW - ASE = Agence spatiale européenne. KW - Astronautique. KW - Coopération internationale. KW - Ethnographie. KW - European Space Agency. KW - Europese integratie. KW - Internationale Kooperation. KW - Internationale samenwerking. KW - Raumfahrt. KW - Ruimtevaart. KW - Sciences spatiales KW - Sociologische aspecten. KW - UE/CE Etats membres. KW - Agence spatiale européenne. KW - Europa. KW - Europe. KW - Norvège. KW - Suisse. UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:2554899 AB - In this first ethnographic study of the European Space Agency, Stacia Zabusky explores the complex processes involved in cooperation on space science missions in the contemporary context of European integration. Zabusky argues that the practice of cooperation does not depend on a homogenizing of interests in a bland unity. Instead, it consists of ongoing negotiation of and conflict over often irreconcilable differences. In this case, those differences are put into play by both technical and political divisions of labor (in particular, those of big science and of European integration). Zabusky shows how participants on space science missions make use of these differences, particularly those manifest in identities of work and of nationality, as they struggle together not only to produce space satellites but also to create European integration. She argues that the dialectical processes of production include and depend on conflict and contradiction to maintain energy and excitement and thus to be successful. Participants in these processes are not, however, working only to produce tangible success. In her epilogue, Zabusky argues that European space science missions can be interpreted as sacred journeys undertaken collectively, and that these journeys are part of a fundamental cultural project of modernity: the legitimation of and aspiration for purity. She suggests, finally, that this project characterizes not only the institution of technoscience but those of bureaucracy and nationalism as well. ER -