To Reach the High Frontier: A History of U.S. Launch Vehicles [Hardcover]

Roger D. Launius (Editor), Dennis R. Jenkins (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813122457 | ISBN-13: 978-0813122458 | Publication Date: November 15, 2002 | Edition: 1

" Access -- no single word better describes the primary concern of the exploration and development of space. Every participant in space activities -- civil, military, scientific, or commercial -- needs affordable, reliable, frequent, and flexible access to space. To Reach the High Frontier details the histories of the various space access vehicles developed in the United States since the birth of the space age in 1957. Each case study has been written by a specialist knowledgeable about the vehicle described and places each system in the larger context of the history of spaceflight. The technical challenge of reaching space with chemical rockets, the high costs associated with space launch, the long lead times necessary for scheduling flights, and the poor reliability of the rockets themselves show launch vehicles to be the space program's most difficult challenge.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent book for those wanting to understand the development and importance of U.S. launch vehicles." -- Air Power History

"The breadth and depth of the essays provide a very detailed view of U.S. launch vehicle programs and how they got to where they are today.... A must-have addition to any space flight professional's or enthusiast's library." -- Astropolitics

"The people, contractors, and government organizations that improved launch systems, and the means they developed to put payloads into orbit.... Highly recommended." -- Choice

"Brings together analysis of numerous important issues in the history of space access." -- Journal of Military History

"A must-read for anyone interested in space history." -- Liftoff

"This valuable contribution to the field of aero-space literature is a comprehensive discussion of the political and social influences on the development of launch vehicles." -- McCormick (SC) Messenger

"A valuable contribution to the field of aerospace literature. A comprehensive discussion of the political and social influences on the development of launch vehicles." -- Michael L. Ciancone

"Details the history of U.S. rockets and propellants from World War II to modern space flight when there were amazing advances in fuels, engines, targeting, materials, and rocket bodies." -- Military Review

"Brings together the leading names in space and aeronautics to study major launch vehicles of the twentieth century." -- Science Book Board

"If this book can contribute to make access the top priority again then its specialist case studies will have formed a bridge from the past to a new future in space." -- Spaceflight

"Until now, no single book has addresses the parallel and intersecting histories of American launch vehicles.... Includes a chapter on every American launch vehicle used to access space since 1957: Atlas, Delta, Titan, Minuteman, Saturn V, Centaur, and the shuttle." -- Technology and Culture

About the Author

Roger D. Launius, chief historian of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C., has written or edited more than twenty books, most recently Imagining Space: Achievements, Predictions, Possibilities, 1950-2050.

Dennis R. Jenkins, a consulting engineer in Cape Canaveral, Florida, has written over 30 works on aerospace history, including Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System—The First 100 Flights.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky; 1 edition (November 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813122457
• ISBN-13: 978-0813122458
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #767,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Researched Overview of Space Launch Vehicles, March 24, 2003

By 

Airplane Enthusiast - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Reach the High Frontier: A History of U.S. Launch Vehicles (Hardcover)

Well-known aerospace experts Launius and Jenkins have done a good job assembling 12 well-written chapters covering every major U.S. launch vehicle - Atlas, Delta, Titan, Saturn, Shuttle, etc. - as well as the Centaur upper stage. All of the chapters (including several by Launius and Jenkins) are very thorough in their coverage, resenting a well-written chronology of the subject. Extensive notes at the end of each chapter. Highly recommended.