Geoffrey Perry
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey E. Perry was a physics
teacher at Kettering Grammar School
, Northamptonshire
, England
who, together with his colleague Derek Slater, and students, deduced the existence of the previously-secret Plesetsk Cosmodrome
in 1966 by analyzing the orbit of the Cosmos 112 satellite.
The New York Times published his discovery shortly before Christmas
in 1966.
Perry and his students (who formed the Kettering Group along with some other volunteers worldwide) continued their satellite tracking work for a number of years, using only inexpensive shortwave radio equipment and painstakingly using the Doppler effect
to deduce the satellites' orbits. They were often able to deduce what various Soviet satellites were being used for, based on their telemetry
. This information was very likely already known by Western intelligence agencies, although it was classified, meaning that the Kettering Group played an important role in making information about the Soviet space program publicly available.
Perry received an MBE
in 1973, in the New Year Honours List. In 1974, Perry received the Jackson-Gwilt Medal
of the Royal Astronomical Society
. After retiring from teaching in 1984 he worked as a space analyst for the ITN television network.
His wife is Jean, and their daughter is Isabel.
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
teacher at Kettering Grammar School
Kettering Grammar School
Kettering Grammar School was a boys grammar school that had a number of homes in Kettering, Northamptonshire throughout its history.-History:...
, Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
who, together with his colleague Derek Slater, and students, deduced the existence of the previously-secret Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Plesetsk Cosmodrome is a Russian spaceport, located in Arkhangelsk Oblast, about 800 km north of Moscow and approximately 200 km south of Arkhangelsk.-Overview:...
in 1966 by analyzing the orbit of the Cosmos 112 satellite.
The New York Times published his discovery shortly before Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
in 1966.
Perry and his students (who formed the Kettering Group along with some other volunteers worldwide) continued their satellite tracking work for a number of years, using only inexpensive shortwave radio equipment and painstakingly using the Doppler effect
Doppler effect
The Doppler effect , named after Austrian physicist Christian Doppler who proposed it in 1842 in Prague, is the change in frequency of a wave for an observer moving relative to the source of the wave. It is commonly heard when a vehicle sounding a siren or horn approaches, passes, and recedes from...
to deduce the satellites' orbits. They were often able to deduce what various Soviet satellites were being used for, based on their telemetry
Telemetry
Telemetry is a technology that allows measurements to be made at a distance, usually via radio wave transmission and reception of the information. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron = measure...
. This information was very likely already known by Western intelligence agencies, although it was classified, meaning that the Kettering Group played an important role in making information about the Soviet space program publicly available.
Perry received an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1973, in the New Year Honours List. In 1974, Perry received the Jackson-Gwilt Medal
Jackson-Gwilt Medal
The Jackson-Gwilt Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society has been awarded regularly since 1897 for the invention, improvement, or development of astronomical instrumentation or techniques; for achievement in observational astronomy; or for achievement in research into the history of astronomy.The...
of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
. After retiring from teaching in 1984 he worked as a space analyst for the ITN television network.
His wife is Jean, and their daughter is Isabel.