THE COMPANY

Astro(naut) Info(rmation) Service was formed in 1982 to distribute the latest  news on the growing number of people selected to train for space flights. The  first AIS published booklet on the third NASA astronaut selection came out later  that year. The publication schedule soon expanded to include other aspects of  the programme, including STS Annual Reports and EVA Reports. This first series  of publications culminated in two monthly news magazines, ORBITER and ZENIT.

Orbiter began publication in 1984 as a  magazine devoted to the Shuttle and the Freedom space station programme. Zenit began a year later in bi-monthly format, covering developments in the Soviet  programmes. Both magazines were published through to 1992

 From the early 1970s, Dave has also provided a presentation series to schools, groups and enthusiasts on various  aspects of human spaceflight. These presentations have continued throughout the  lifetime of AIS. Regular anniversary presentations on the Apollo missions are second in popularity to the school presentation AT HOME IN SPACE (which Dave subtitles 'Eating, Drinking, Going to the Toilet, and Being Sick!').

This educational and outreach programme expanded rapidly, with the Setpoint organisation presentations to schools of AT HOME IN SPACE  in 2003 to over 5000 children in the West Midlands in three months. We also delivered our other show and tell presentations on Exploring the Moon, The Earth in Space and Solar System to an ever increasing number of pupils across Key Stages.  This work expanded across the Midlands, throughout Wales and Bedfordshire. Our  Space Workshop programme features a series of experiments and science activities  based around different aspects of human space flight missions which was offered to schools from September 2003. AIS was also heavily involved in creating a new  BIS publication for schools (called Voyage) during 2004 and 2005.

AIS publications have continued to expand and improve, with detailed  biographies on the world's space explorers, the Shuttle missions, spacewalks,  and aspects of the Soviet / Russian programme. Dave also continues to publish articles in the BIS publications through Astro Info Service and attends the  Soviet / CIS / Russian Technical Forum held at the BIS HQ in London. Dave first attended in 1983 and has regularly presented papers, which later appear in the society's JBIS magazine.

Dave’s other work through AIS has been published in the Spaceflight News, UK SEDS Magazine and in the 1989 Magills Science Survey and the Soviet Space Year  Review (both published in the US). Dave has also contributed to the US Who's Who  in Space volume in 1987, and its two update editions in 1992 and 1998. Dave has provided articles and research for several other books, loaned photos and other  material for commercial publications and has authored several cards in the US  M-Press series Secrets of the Universe (1999).

In October 1999, Dave gave up his 'normal' career to devote all his time to Astro Info Service, developing AIS products and services, researching new books  and articles and continuing to present the science of humans in space to  children of all ages through the AIS programme of fun and informative presentations.

The most significant development was the creation of our web site in May 2000. The objective of the site was to provide a range of reports and information on current and historic human spaceflight activities. Though news reports provide updates to the reader, the site is not intended to be a news source, but rather an accurate and informative reference of data from a variety  of worldwide sites. It is especially aimed at the enthusiast and younger generation who just wish to learn the story behind the headlines. The site also acts as a shop-window for other Astro Info Service activities, publications and  services, which are advertised on the site as they appear.

In May 2000, Dave attended the first Autographica featuring four former Apollo astronauts (Bean, Cunningham, Gordon and Mitchell) in Northampton. The second show in May of 2001 was bigger and better

This time, there were 8 former space explorers from the US and Russia. Dave and Astro Info Service initiated arranging the appearance of former Skylab astronauts Jerry Carr and Ed Gibson, presented one of our lectures on living in space, hosted the Skylab astronaut with their presentations and shared the platform with former  Shuttle commander, Richard Searfoss. Astro Info Service also co-operated with  Springer /Praxis and Apogee Books to promote recent releases from a stand, which also served to promote our own  range of services and publications.

We also had the opportunity to host several presentations to schools in the Midlands, featuring former Shuttle astronaut Don Lind. The Astro Info Service presentation service expanded into London, Kent and West Sussex and north into Yorkshire during the 1999-2001 period.

In 2002, AIS was again joined at Autographica by Jerry Carr and displayed Dave’s ever-widening range of Springer-Praxis books. This time, however, AIS  also provided a popular range of biographical Data Cards of all the space guests  at the show, giving the autograph collectors a chance to find out a little bit  more about the guests they were meeting (including four cosmonauts, plus Carr  and Cunningham).

Show work in 2003 included participation with the BIS at Astrofest in February and at the British Festival of Space in Guilford in July; Autographica in May (hosting Paul Weitz and Ed Gibson and  again providing our Data cards for all space guests); IAF in Bremen, Germany (on  the UK Pavilion but on our own stand) in September/October and a second  Autographica (with astronaut guests) in Coventry in November. AIS also hosted PJ Weitz for a few days of school presentations in Leicestershire (including the National Space Centre) and at the BIS in London.

 AIS introduced new publications from 2003, continuing our popular space explorer biographical collections and launching our World Spaceflight Logs. We have also continued to provide guest biographies for Autographica shows and organized guest lectures for both space and non space guests, including a biography card for US actor Tony Curtis and introducing lectures by World War II veterans, a Concorde test pilot and the TV cast of Sharpe’s Rifles, actor Brian Blessed and a former member of the British SAS.

Work in schools has expanded tremendously since 2005 which has meant delaying AIS generated publications, however, work with Springer-Praxis has continued with further titles in their space science’s library and our first title with Apogee Books. Other titles are in preparation, a return to AIS generated publications are planned and additional support material for outreach will be focus in the coming months for the Company.

There is now an AIS Shop, initially mail order with books, private publications, and other items and  services.

Our goal is to establish AIS as a leading supplier of accurate and informative data on global human spaceflight history, current operations and  future trends.

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