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Title: Outer Space Exploration - NASA and the Incredible Story of Human Spaceflight

Author: Edited by John Logson
Edition: NA
ISBN: 978-0-14-312995-0
Date: 2018
Publisher: Penguin Books
Binding: Soft Cover
Size approximately (inches): 5-1/4 x 7-3/4
Pages: 374

Book Condition: Good. Previously owned. Former library copy and has the usual stamps, stickers, etc. 

Special Notes: NA

About the book*:

The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration: NASA and the Incredible Story of Human Spaceflight, edited by renowned space historian John Logsdon with a foreword by Bill Nye, offers a compelling documentary history of America's journey into space. Published in celebration of NASA's 60th anniversary, the book presents a curated collection of pivotal documents from NASA's archives, providing readers with firsthand insights into the agency's milestones and challenges.

Chapter list for The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration: NASA and the Incredible Story of Human Spaceflight, edited by John Logsdon:

1. Prologue: The Dream of Centuries

2. Getting Ready for Space Exploration

3. First Steps

4. "One Small Step... One Giant Leap"

5. Steps Toward an Uncertain Future

6. Epilogue: The Dream Persists

This structure guides readers through the historical progression of human spaceflight, from early aspirations to the challenges and achievements of NASA's missions.

The narrative begins with Wernher von Braun's visionary plans for Mars exploration and extends to Elon Musk's contemporary ambitions for interplanetary travel. Through official memos, speeches, astronaut reflections, and policy discussions, the book chronicles significant events such as:

• The founding of NASA

• The first American astronauts in space

• The Apollo moon landings

• The Challenger disaster

• The Hubble Space Telescope repairs

Notable inclusions are President Eisenhower's reactions to Sputnik, the original NASA astronaut application, John Glenn's thoughts on zero gravity, and deliberations on Neil Armstrong's iconic first words on the Moon. The book also sheds light on lesser-known episodes, such as the Mercury Seven astronauts' 1959 proposal for mutual visits with Soviet counterparts and NASA's 1961 rejection of a joint televised appearance by Yuri Gagarin and Alan Shepard.

While the book predominantly focuses on the early history of NASA's human spaceflight program, it also addresses post-Apollo developments, including the space shuttle era and the rise of commercial spaceflight initiatives. Logsdon suggests that the future of human space exploration may increasingly rely on commercial entities like SpaceX and Blue Origin.

This volume serves as both a historical record and a reflection on the evolving narrative of space exploration, making it an invaluable resource for enthusiasts and scholars alike.

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From W5SWL

*AI is used to present modern description content. Subject to review and possible inaccuracy.