Astronautics Book 1: Dawn of the Space Age Bk. 1 (Apogee Books Space) (Apogee Books Space Series) - Softcover

Ted Spitzmiller

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1894959639 ISBN 13: 9781894959636

Publisher: Apogee Books, 2007

Synopsis

A Historical Perspective of Mankind s Efforts To Conquer The Cosmos. Astronautics is the definitive history of mankind s exploration of space. It examines the epic events that shaped the era and provides appropriate insight into the wide-ranging impact that this endeavor has had on technology, politics, and society. Astronautics provides enough detail to satisfy the serious enthusiast, but without the minutia that so often blocks the casual reader. To accomplish this, Astronautics is presented as two books, each covering a particular phase of man s progress. Book 1 - Dawn of the Space Age chronicles mankind s desire to know more about the cosmos and his dreams of reaching into its depths. It describes the initial discoveries, inventions, and engineering innovations that became the foundation of rocket technology. It follows the two preeminent countries in their quest for the ultimate weapon that would provide the path to space. It describes the decisions that resulted in the first artificial satellite programs in the United States and the former Soviet Union. It follows the events that shaped the initial thrust into space as represented by the first Soviet Sputniks and the shocked response by the Americans. It details the belated and often failure prone launches that humbled a great nation. The book describes the first attempts to reach the Moon and the planets and explains the techniques and physics involved. It illustrates the engineering requirements of the first manned spacecraft and the selection and experiences of the first spacefarers. Each chapter of each book analyzes a topic so that readers can achieve a relatively complete understanding of a special interest area without the need to ferret information from multiple chapters. However, each chapter and each book is linked to the whole by a careful interconnection of a set of themes.

About this title

Review:

In the two volume set Astronautics Ted Spitzmiller has written the definitive books on the history of space exploration. Yet his style is so comfortable that it reads more like a story than a history. Space enthusiasts will learn things they never knew before. I did. As a NASA Astronaut - Space Shuttle Pilot and Commander- I lived the Shuttle program, still I found my understanding of the program changing as I read Ted's chapters on the subject. Not only will you learn new things, but the author places them in a context that helps you understand the issues as if you were there. For people who recall gathering around the old black and white TV to witness a Mercury launch, this book will answer all your questions about how we got there, what was happening while we waited for the countdown to resume, and where we are going in the future. Literally, to Mars or beyond? For readers who missed those early days, this book will help you understand mankind's great engineering and scientific achievements in the exploration of Space. This is a book that will be read again and again. --Sid Gutierrez - Pilot of the Columbia, STS-40, Commander of the Endeavour, STS-59

Synopsis:

This is the definitive history of mankind's exploration of space. It examines the epic events that shaped the era and provides appropriate insight into the wide-ranging impact that this endeavour has had on technology, politics, and society. The book provides enough detail to satisfy the serious enthusiast, but without the minutia that so often blocks the casual reader. To accomplish this, "Astronautics" is presented as two books, each covering a particular phase of man's progress. "Book 1 - Dawn of the Space Age" chronicles mankind's desire to know more about the cosmos and his dreams of reaching into its depths. It describes the initial discoveries, inventions, and engineering innovations that became the foundation of rocket technology. It follows the two pre-eminent countries in their quest for the 'ultimate weapon' that would provide the path to space.It describes the decisions that resulted in the first artificial satellite programs in the United States and the former Soviet Union. It follows the events that shaped the initial thrust into space as represented by the first Soviet Sputniks and the shocked response by the Americans.

It details the belated and often failure prone launches that humbled a great nation. The book describes the first attempts to reach the Moon and the planets and explains the techniques and physics involved. It illustrates the engineering requirements of the first manned spacecraft and the selection and experiences of the first spacefarers. Each chapter of each book analyses a topic so that readers can achieve a relatively complete understanding of a special interest area without the need to ferret information from multiple chapters. However, each chapter and each book is linked to the whole by a careful interconnection of a set of themes.

About this edition

• Publisher: Apogee Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1894959639
• ISBN 13: 9781894959636
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264