The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration

The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration

Author: Roger D. Launius

Publisher: Smithsonian Institution

Published: 2018-10-23

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 1588346374

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The first in-depth, fully illustrated history of global space discovery and exploration from ancient times to the modern era “The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration examines civilization’s continued desire to explore the next frontier as only the Smithsonian can do it.” —Buzz Aldrin, Gemini 12 and Apollo 11 astronaut and author of No Dream Is Too High Former NASA and Smithsonian space curator and historian Roger D. Launius presents a comprehensive history of our endeavors to understand the universe, honoring millennia of human curiosity, ingenuity, and achievement. This extensive study of international space exploration is packed with over 500 photographs, illustrations, graphics, and cutaways, plus plenty of sidebars on key scientific and technological developments, influential figures, and pioneering spacecraft. Starting with space exploration's origins in the pioneering work undertaken by ancient civilizations and the great discoveries of the Renaissance thinkers, Launius also devotes whole chapters to our space race to the Moon, space planes and orbital stations, and the lure of the red planet Mars. He also offers new insights into well-known moments such as the launch of Sputnik 1 and the Apollo Moon landing and explores the unexpected events and hidden figures of space history. The final chapters cover the technological and mechanical breakthroughs enabling humans to explore far beyond our own planet in recent decades, speculating on the future of space exploration, including space tourism and our possible future as an extraterrestrial species. This is a must-read for space buffs and everyone intrigued by the history and future of scientific discovery. "This oversize offering is a space nerd’s dream come true." —Booklist


A Brief Illustrated History of Space Exploration

A Brief Illustrated History of Space Exploration

Author: Robert Snedden

Publisher: Capstone

Published: 2017-01-01

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 1515725197

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A Brief Illustrated History of Space Exploration charts the history of space exploration and discovery all the way through from the early rocketeers, through the first people in space and the Space Race to be first to reach the Moon, the first Space Stations, and all the way through to the incredible findings of today. With stunning full-color images and illustrations, this beautiful book is sure to fascinate and charm the young reader.


An Illustrated Timeline of Space Exploration

An Illustrated Timeline of Space Exploration

Author: Patricia Wooster

Publisher: Capstone

Published: 2011-06

Total Pages: 18

ISBN-13: 1404870180

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Presents a timeline of the history of space exploration, from the earliest astronomers to the creation of satellite and spacecraft technology and the possible future of space travel.


NASA

NASA

Author: Michael H. Gorn

Publisher:

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13:

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"The first illustrated history of NASA - the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration - ever to be published, this groundbreaking book tells the exciting story of space exploration from the early twentieth century to the present, focusing on the personalities involved as much as the technological advances that have made space exploration possible. Authoritatively and accessibly written by historian Michael Gorn, NASA: The Complete Illustrated History tells of the climate of discovery that has existed inside the NASA (and its precursor, NACA). Here Michael Gorn describes the tools and techniques of research and development, such as wind tunnels and test flights in the atmosphere, and discusses the temperaments and personal ambitions of scientists and engineers, pilots, and astronauts."--BOOK JACKET.


SpaceShipOne

SpaceShipOne

Author: Dan Linehan

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA

Published: 2011-06-13

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 161673230X

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“One of the most remarkable accomplishments in our conquest of gravity.” — Sir Arthur C. Clarke In April, 2003, a company called Scaled Composites introduced SpaceShipOne to the world. SpaceShipOne: An Illustrated History chronicles the development of the world’s first commercial manned space program—aprogram that includes an airborne launcher (the White Knight), a space ship (SpaceShipOne), rocket propulsion, avionics, simulator, and full ground support. With ample illustrations, photographs, and behind-the-scenes information, SpaceShipOne provides a full picture of this classified project. The story of SpaceShipOne combines the adventurous spirit of Charles Lindbergh, the entrepreneurial drive of Howard Hughes, and the urgency of the space race at the height of the Cold War.


Testing Aircraft, Exploring Space

Testing Aircraft, Exploring Space

Author: Roger E. Bilstein

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 9780801871580

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Selected by Choice Magazine as an Outstanding Academic Title for 2003 The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics—forerunner of today's NASA—emerged in 1915, when airplanes were curiosities made of wood and canvas and held together with yards of baling wire. At the time an unusual example of government intrusion (and foresight, given the importance of aviation to national military concerns), the committee oversaw the development of wind tunnels, metal fabrication, propeller design, and powerful new high-speed aircraft during the 1920s and '30s. In this richly illustrated account, acclaimed historian of aviation Roger E. Bilstein combines the story of NACA and NASA to provide a fresh look at the agencies, the problems they faced, and the hard work as well as inventive genius of the men and women who found the solutions. NACA research during World War II led to critical advances in U.S. fighter and bomber design and, Bilstein explains, contributed to engineering standards for helicopters. After 1945 the agency's test pilots experimented with jet-powered aircraft, testing both human and technical limits in trying to break the so-called "sound barrier." In October 1958, when the launch of the Soviet Sputnik signaled the beginning of the space race, NACA formed the nucleus of the new National Aeronautics and Space Agency. The new agency's efforts to meet President Kennedy's challenge—safely landing a man on the Moon and returning him to Earth before the end of the 1960s—is one of the great adventure stories of all time. Bilstein goes on to describe NASA's recent planetary and extraplanetary exploration, as well as its less well-known research into the future of aeronautical design.


NASA & the Exploration of Space

NASA & the Exploration of Space

Author: Roger D. Launius

Publisher: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13:

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An overview of the history of NASA and its role in modern space exploration, accompanied by sketches and paintings from American artists.


Space Probes

Space Probes

Author: Philippe Séguéla

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781554079445

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The first complete, up-to-date history of space probe exploration. In just 50 years, space exploration has advanced from the Luna 1, the first artificial object to overcome Earth's gravitational field, to the New Horizons Mission, which will reach Pluto in 2015. Progress has been spectacular, and it bodes well for the remarkable achievements to come. Space Probes is the first complete and fully illustrated history of the international space exploration program. Thoroughly up to date, it is organized by destination and includes every space probe launched by all countries active in space exploration -- the United States, the USSR/Russia, the European Union, Japan, China and India. Each probe is described as to its objective, its technology, the hurdles overcome, the successes and failures of the mission, the information gained and the lessons learned. Fascinating photographs and technical drawings give an inside view of each mission, and special features focus on key engineers and physicists and the fruits of their research. After a section on the history of astronomy, Space Probes covers missions to: The moon, the first objective Venus, our sister planet Mars, the red planet Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, the giant planets Mercury The sun Comets Asteroids and the dwarf planets Future missions. The book also includes sections on the Apollo Space Program, the USSR-USA space race and a cross-referenced chronological index of all the probes. Engaging and accessible, Space Probes is a comprehensive and expertly researched encyclopedia of humanity's space explorations, an adventure that has not finished astonishing us.