The Exploration of Space

Clarke, Arthur C.

Published by Harper & Brothers, New York, 1951

About this Item

Navy over green cloth, gold lettering, xiii+199 pp, index. Spine a bit cocked, corners bumped, minor edge wear and rubbing, some sunning. No jacket. Owner's name on front end paper and title page. ; isfdb database lists this version first, but Clarke lived in London so I assume the actual first edition is the British printing. Front end papers show Earth with prospective orbits for various satellites (including geosynchronous communications satellites - Clarke was the first to propose the communication satellite concept. Back end papers have diagrams showing relative orbits of the planets (including now demoted Pluto) and how many moons each planet has. Color frontispiece by Leslie Carr showing a rocket surveying Mars. 14 mostly b/w plates tipped in include photos, drawings by R. A. Smith and a color painting by Leslie Carr. Also includes several b/w line drawings. ; 7 ¾" - 9 ¾" Tall; 199 pages; Primarily a science fiction author, Arthur C. Clarke also wrote several non-fiction science books and a number of essays. Published in 1951, The Exploration of Space takes us on a journey through our solar system. It describes the planets, how one might travel from place to place, ideas for a lunar base and exploring the Moon and the other planets. Clarke shows us what he thought rockets might be like and some thoughts on actually travelling in space. Near the end are a couple chapters covering other stars. Clarke over the years offered a number of ideas on space travel and exploring the universe. He pioneered the concept of the communications satellites that today have revolutionized our lives. This book provides a fascinating look at the state of scientific thinking on space travel around 1950.

Seller Inventory # 9974

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Exploration of Space
• Publisher: Harper & Brothers, New York
• Publication Date: 1951
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Illustrated by Smith, R. A. ; Carr, Leslie
• Edition: First American Edition.
• Condition: Very Good-
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy::Arthur C. Clarke
  • Science and Technology