This book provides unique access to the story of how scientists were accepted into the American Space Programme, and reveals how, after four difficult decades, the role of the heroic test pilot astronaut has been replaced by men and women who are science orientated space explorers.
This book documents highlights of NASA's interactions with outside scientific advisors over the agency's full lifetime and draws lessons from that history for research managers, decision makers, and scientists.The book is divided into three parts--the first two being focused on history and the third on synthesis and analysis. Part 1 briefly examines early forerunner activities at NACA and in the decade leading up to NASA's formation, and it then considers NASA's use of outside advice during its first three decades. Part 2 picks up the story in 1988 and follows it up to 2016. Part 3 examines a sampling of case studies, discusses recurring characteristics of notably successful advisory activities, and provides a glimpse at what past experience might imply for the future of scientific advice at NASA. The last two chapters provide big-picture summaries of themes that have emerged from earlier discussions.
This classic on space travel was first published in 1953, when interplanetary space flight was considered science fiction by most of those who considered it at all. Here the German-born scientist Wernher von Braun detailed what he believed were the problems and possibilities inherent in a projected expedition to Mars. Today von Braun is recognized as the person most responsible for laying the groundwork for public acceptance of America's space program. When President Bush directed NASA in 1989 to prepare plans for an orbiting space station, lunar research bases, and human exploration of Mars, he was largely echoing what von Braun proposed in The Mars Project.
These are one of a series of delightfully humorous award-winning tales for beginner readers from an internationally acclaimed author-illustrator. Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to. Gerald and Piggie are best friends. In "Today I will Fly!" Piggie wants to fly. But Gerald knows that she cannot - or can she?
Who's Who of NASA Astronauts presents the biographical information of all 367 NASA astronauts along with their mission facts. From the original Mercury 7 selected in 1959 to the present day Space Shuttle astronauts working on the International Space Station, this book contains the personal history, education, honors received, affiliated organizations and the NASA experience of each astronaut.
"A Meeting with the Universe is the story of what we learned about the universe and ourselves by going into space. It is not a textbook for scientists. It is written for everyone who shared the excitement and wonder fo the last few years -- students, teachers, scientists, other professional people, and curious citizens of all kinds. It is not a NASA history. It is a history of space exploration -- by NASA, by universities, by other government agencies, and by industries -- all of whom have played major roles. We have not attempted to apportion credit here; space has been studied by many, and the discoveries belong to us all. The book itself is a novel experiment in writing about science for non-scientific readers. It was not produced by science writers or journalists, but written and edited entirely by a group of NASA scientists, all of whom are deeply involved in space science activities and many of whom actively participated in the discoveries they describe. ... We are now at a watershed in space. After 20 years of challenging and exciting activity, we have done most of the easy things and made most of the obvious discoveries. What do we do next? How do we tackle the many new questions that have arisen about the Sun, the Earth, the other worlds, the universe around us, and ourselves? These are not just scientific questions. Their answers involve the understanding of the Earth's geology, its weather, and its climate -- factors that will affect the survival of our civilization, perhaps even of our species. ... Although we have only begun our movement into space, we have already traveled far and seen much. We have a shining vision of the universe and our future in it. Without that vision, without the will to follow it, something important in us -- perhaps we ourselves -- will perish." -- From the preface, Dr. John E. Naugle, Chief Scientist, NASA.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the nation's space program, NASA's medical leadership asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to review specific aspects of the scientific basis, policies, and procedures associated with the Longitudinal Study of Astronaut Health (LSAH). NASA created the LSAH in 1992 to address a variety of issues, including both the health of astronauts during space flight and the longer-term health issues that might be associated with space flight and flight training.
"The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's space flight team is based at Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas. Since the inception of the manned space flight program 66 astronauts have been selected. Of this number 55 are still participating in the program on a full-time basis. The seven original astronauts were named in April 1959. Additional astronauts and scientist-astronauts have been added from time to time."--Title page verso.