Roger D. Launius Livres

Prepare to embark on a journey through space and time with The NASA Archives, a visual celebration of humankind's unstoppable urge to travel away from Earth to worlds beyond. Featuring more than 400 historic photographs and rare concept renderings, this collection guides us through NASA's 60-year history, from its earliest days to its current...

Prepare to embark on a journey through space and time with The NASA Archives, a visual celebration of humankind's unstoppable urge to travel away from Earth to worlds beyond. Featuring hundreds of historic photographs and concept renderings, this collection guides us through NASA's 60-year history.

The book delves into the monumental effort behind America's goal to land a man on the Moon, initiated by President John F. Kennedy's 1961 announcement. It explores the extensive planning and resources devoted to the Apollo program, comparing its scale to the Panama Canal and the Manhattan Project. The narrative highlights the evolution of human spaceflight through Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, culminating in the historic Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon. Illustrated throughout.

Delving into the history of space exploration, this book offers a comprehensive analysis that includes profiles of notable American and Soviet space pioneers. It features a detailed timeline highlighting significant events in the field, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the milestones and achievements that have shaped humanity's journey into space.

Fifty years after the Moon landing, a new history of the space race explores the lives of both Soviet and American engineers

For centuries humanity has engaged in a virtual exploration of space through astronomical observation, aided by astounding scientific and technological advances. In more than sixty years since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, more than 6,000 functioning satellites have been launched into Earth's orbit and beyond - some to the farthest reaches of the Solar System - and more than 540 people have travelled into space.Unprecedented in its chronological and geographical scope, this book charts the history of space exploration from the first gunpowder rockets through the Moon landings, and into a future of space tourism. Numerous sidebars focus on the key individuals and inventions that brought us closer to the farthest reaches of the universe. Filled with astonishing images from the Smithsonian, NASA archives and other international collections, this is the first in-depth, fully illustrated survey of this universal human journey.

An all-encompassing look at the history and enduring impact of the Apollo space program In Apollo's Legacy, space historian Roger D. Launius explores the many-faceted stories told about the meaning of the Apollo program and how it forever altered American society. The Apollo missions marked the first time human beings left Earth's orbit and visited another world, and thus they loom large in our collective memory. Many have detailed the exciting events of the Apollo program, but Launius offers unique insight into its legacy as seen through multiple perspectives. He surveys a wide range of viewpoints and narratives, both positive and negative, surrounding the program. These include the argument that Apollo epitomizes American technological--and political--progress; technological and scientific advances garnered from the program; critiques from both sides of the political spectrum about the program's expenses; and even conspiracy theories and denials of the program's very existence. Throughout the book, Launius weaves in stories from important moments in Apollo's history to draw readers into his analysis. Apollo's Legacy is a must-read for space buffs interested in new angles on a beloved cultural moment and those seeking a historic perspective on the Apollo program.

Explore the vastness of the universe through 300 captivating maps and illustrations that chronicle the history and future of space exploration. This coffee-table atlas, crafted by former NASA chief historian Roger D. Launius, provides a unique perspective on topics ranging from ancient cosmic concepts to modern missions to the Moon and Mars. The large-format design features stunning visuals and engaging narratives that make the complexities of the cosmos accessible and intimate, inviting readers to navigate the Solar System and beyond.