A joint symposium of the Institute and the British Interplanetary Society was held at the Royal Geographical Society's house on Friday, 18 November 1960.

At the morning session the Chair was taken by Wing Commander E. W. Anderson, o.b.e., d.f.c., a.f.c., President of the Institute, who introduced the speakers. In the afternoon, Dr. W. R. Maxwell, President of the British Interplanetary Society, took the Chair for the papers by Cashmore and Stewart, and Air Marshal Sir Edward Chilton, k.b.e., c.b., presided over the main discussion, which was opened by Dr. J. G. Porter.