Polystom does appear to echo The Ragged Astronauts - and Snow keeps making me think of John Christopher's The World in Winter...

It shouldn't be too difficult to get hold of tRA - although the sequels (The Wooden Spaceships being one) are a little trickier to find.

If the OUSFG library doesn't have it... Shame on them! ;o)

Orbitsville, however, is much, much better - definitely worth a look.