Final Mission: Preserving NASA's Apollo Sites - Hardcover

Westwood, Lisa; O'Leary, Beth; Donaldson, Milford W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0813062462 ISBN 13: 9780813062464

Publisher: University Press of Florida, 2017

Synopsis

Deep within the rugged mountains of Southern California and rising above the desert landscape of Southern New Mexico are the oncemajestic historic rocket test stands and facilities that helped send humans to the moon for the first time in 1969. Many of these areabandoned. Countless others across the American landscape and on the lunar surface have become ruins, silent and largely forgotten.
The Final Mission explores the critical sites linked to space exploration and calls for their urgent preservation. The authors provide fascinating background information on significant sites and discuss ways to preserve and protect the buildings and artifacts that remain for future generations. These facilities helped refine the Saturn V rocket engines that carried the Apollo 11 astronauts to the moon and developed the critical equipment that made it possible for humans to survive and return safely to Earth. This book gives these sites the recognition they have long been due for their roles in the landmark Apollo missions that blazed at the height of the twentieth-century space race.

About this title

Review:

"A powerful case in favor of the need for the identification and preservation of the places that played a role in one of the greatest achievements in history."--Space Times "Details how various sites in New Mexico, Texas, California, and Florida contributed to the successful Apollo missions."--USA Today "A solid exploration of the issues at play in the preservation of historic sites associated with the Moon landings, by far the best such work available."--Public Historian "Explain[s] the necessity of preserving these sites for future generations, and the ways in which the launch facilities, test sites, and even lunar sites can be properly tended."--Publishers Weekly "By highlighting the Apollo program and the breadth of sites involved in developing America's space capabilities up through the moon landings, the authors have demonstrated that the material culture of federal programs in particular should be evaluated within a far broader scope than is normally practiced."--H-Net Reviews "Explore[s] the archaeological perspective of preserving sites related to the Project Apollo and moon missions. . . . thoroughly covers the details of the lunar missions and describes how many key landmarks, such as launch pads and other facilities, may no longer exist because of damage and neglect."--Choice

About the Author:

Lisa Westwood is cultural resources manager at ECORP Consulting, Inc. and a professional archaeologist. Beth O'Leary, professor emerita of anthropology at New Mexico State University, is coeditor of Handbook of Space Engineering, Archaeology, and Heritage. Milford Wayne Donaldson is president of the firm Architect Milford Wayne Donaldson, FAIA. He is chairman of the national Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the former State Historic Preservation Officer for the state of California.

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press of Florida
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0813062462
• ISBN 13: 9780813062464
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208