Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
Winner of the Luigi Napolitano Award (2006) from the International Academy of Astronautics
This book presents the fascinating story of the events that paved the way to space. It introduces the reader to the history of early rocketry and the subsequent developments that led into the space age. People of various nations and from various lands contributed to the breakthrough to space, and the book takes the reader to faraway places on five continents. It also includes many quotes to give readers a flavor of how the participants viewed the developments.
Most publications on the topic either target narrow aspects of rocket history or are popular books that scratch the surface, with minimal and sometimes inaccurate technical details. This book bridges the gap. It contains numerous technical details usually unavailable in popular publications. The details are not overbearing and anyone interested in rocketry and space exploration will navigate through the book without difficulty. There are 340 figures and photographs, many appearing for the first time.
Synopsis
Gruntman (aerospace engineering, U. of Southern California) describes the early history of rocketry and spacecraft, seeking to close the gap between popular and technical publications. His topics include the international nature of early rocketry; its development in America, its collaborators and its rivals; the development of power sources, materials, and navigational devices; and the importance of artificial satellites. Gruntman also describes the Cold War competition surrounding early work in space, and how it informed popular culture's expectations for space programs. This volume includes a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations. Annotation © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR