Space Stations: Base Camps to the Stars

This new edition of Space Stations: Base Camp to the Stars, winner of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics History Manuscript Award, has been fully updated to tell the complete story of the vision, technological achievement and political infighting that led to the establishment of the first space stations. From winged rocket ships, to the epic, controversy-wracked sagas of Mir and the International Space Station, this highly original blend of history and popular culture explains why the dream of a permanently occupied space outpost has captivated so many for so long. Ninety-five arresting images, many rare and never before published, illustrate this thought-provoking narrative of the evolution of the space station as cultural icon.

In this richly illustrated book, Launius (former NASA chief historian) details the developments of space stations, from their first imaginings to the future of the International Space Station. He describes the public relations efforts of Werner Von Braun to promote space colonization, describes the science and politics of earlier space stations Skylab and Salyut, and speculates on the future of space exploration. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Roger D. Launius, former chief historian of NASA, is a member of the Space History Division of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.