Highlighting men and women across the globe who have dedicated themselves to pushing the limits of space exploration, this book surveys the programs, technological advancements, medical equipment, and automated systems that have made space travel possible. This is the complete story of manned space flight.
Beginning with the eighteenth-century invention of balloons that lifted early explorers into the stratosphere, Ted Spitzmiller describes how humans first came to employ lifting gasses such as hydrogen and helium. He traces the influence of nineteenth-century science fiction writers on the development of rocket science, looks at the role of rocket societies in the early twentieth century, and discusses the use of rockets in World War II warfare.
Moving into the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, Spitzmiller outlines the engineering and space medicine advances that finally enabled humans to fly beyond the earth's atmosphere. He recreates the excitement felt around the world at the first orbital flights of Yuri Gagarin and John Glenn. He recounts triumphs such as Neil Armstrong's "one small step" and tragedies such as the Challenger and Columbia disasters.
The story enters the present day with the development of the International Space Station, NASA's interest in asteroids and Mars, and the emergence of China as a major player in the space arena. Spitzmiller shows the impact of space flight on human history and speculates on the future of exploration beyond our current understandings of physics and the known boundaries of time and space.
Highlighting men and women across the globe who have dedicated themselves to pushing the limits of space exploration, this book surveys the programs, technological advancements, medical equipment, and automated systems that have made space travel possible. This is the complete story of manned space flight.
Beginning with the eighteenth-century invention of balloons that lifted early explorers into the stratosphere, Ted Spitzmiller describes how humans first came to employ lifting gasses such as hydrogen and helium. He traces the influence of nineteenth-century science fiction writers on the development of rocket science, looks at the role of rocket societies in the early twentieth century, and discusses the use of rockets in World War II warfare.
Moving into the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, Spitzmiller outlines the engineering and space medicine advances that finally enabled humans to fly beyond the earth's atmosphere. He recreates the excitement felt around the world at the first orbital flights of Yuri Gagarin and John Glenn. He recounts triumphs such as Neil Armstrong's "one small step" and tragedies such as the Challenger and Columbia disasters.
The story enters the present day with the development of the International Space Station, NASA's interest in asteroids and Mars, and the emergence of China as a major player in the space arena. Spitzmiller shows the impact of space flight on human history and speculates on the future of exploration beyond our current understandings of physics and the known boundaries of time and space.
Ted Spitzmiller, retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is a pilot and flight instructor. He is the author of many books, including the two-volume work Astronautics.
Exploration is not a choice, really; it’s an imperative."" -
Michael Collins, Gemini and Apollo astronaut
“Spitzmiller skillfully weaves stories from around the world and
across centuries into a riveting narrative. An excellent blend of
understandable technical explanations with a fascinating human saga
of dedication, competition, sacrifice, and achievement.”—Dave
Finley, National Radio Astronomy Observatory
“An ambitious and thorough history, extending back to the earliest
risk takers and innovators who laid the groundwork for the
astronauts and cosmonauts who would break the bonds of
Earth.”—George Leopold, author of Calculated Risk: The Supersonic
Life and Times of Gus Grissom
“A wonderfully synthetic and penetrating account of humankind’s
historic ventures into space. This is one of the most accessible
books on space travel yet written.”—James R. Hansen, author of
First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong
“A well-researched space history full of little-known details that
all space enthusiasts will want to add to their reference
lists.”—Marianne J. Dyson, author of A Passion for Space:
Adventures of a Pioneering Female NASA Flight Controller
“Brings many of the personalities in the exploration of space to
life. Spitzmiller offers a great perspective on issues from Von
Braun’s involvement with the Nazi Party to Grissom’s infamous
hatch. A great read.”—Sidney M. Gutierrez, former NASA shuttle
commander
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