Smithsonian Atlas of Space Exploration [Hardcover]

Roger D. Launius (Author), Andrew K. Johnston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2009

In the history of space exploration, there have been many leaps for humankind. From the foremost experts at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, here is a complete visual narrative of our journey from Earth to the stars. . . .

Although the momentous October 4, 1957, launch of Sputnik 1 was not the beginning of humanity's adventure toward space—our curiosity about the skies has been one of the few constants in history—it was the first true venture into orbit. And when future generations think of the twentieth century, they will undoubtedly judge our movement into space, with both machines and people, as a crowning achievement. As we progress in the new millennium, space exploration is vital to managing our global future, as well as to understanding our past and the creation of Earth.

The Atlas of Space Exploration depicts the ever-fascinating history of the space age and humanity's progress in exploring new frontiers. Incredible images from NASA and other sources, visual conceptions of Moon bases, and newly commissioned maps reveal a visual history spanning the earliest eras of the universe, the dawn of the space age, the launch of Sputnik, missions to the Moon, robot landings on the terrestrial planets, and the exploration of the outer solar system. These developments in technology are illuminated by a rich historical context, highlighting how space exploration has changed and expanded our vision of the universe.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The mysteries of space have long inspired people to reach for the stars. Authored by two experts in aerospace history, Smithsonian Atlas of Space Exploration relates the story of space exploration in text, photographs, illustrations, and maps from the earliest times to the present. Written at a level geared to the general reader, this topically arranged work is divided into seven parts: “Envisioning Space,” “Beginning the Space Age,” “Gateways to Space,” “Orbiting the Earth,” “Reaching for the Moon,” “Other Terrestrial Worlds,” and “Across the Solar System.” Each part contains a number of two- or four-page subsections covering topics ranging from the earliest observatories of the ancient world to the possibilities for space flight in the future. Exceptional large-format color photographs from NASA and other sources provide amazing images, such as astronaut James B. Irwin on the moon with the Lunar Roving Vehicle, astronauts repairing the Hubble Space Telescope, a view of the Moon setting over the Earth taken from the space shuttle Discovery, and a view of the surface of Mars near the Viking 1 lander. This work is further enhanced by excellent artistic renditions of subjects such as the possible configuration of a future lunar surface base, a map of objects in low Earth orbit, and a portrayal of a NASA Mars Exploration Rover on the surface of Mars. Color as well as black-and-white illustrations, diagrams, and specially commissioned maps further supplement text. A four-page index provides subject access to the contents; also included is a basic four-page annotated bibliography of readings on the history of space exploration. Distinguished by outstanding color illustrations and photographs, the very reasonably priced atlas should appeal to a broad audience and is recommended for high-school, undergraduate, and public libraries. --Nancy Cannon

Review

“Filled with rare photographs and unique infographics, the book holds surprises for space buffs and casual readers alike.... Few overviews of the past and future of space exploration have demonstrated such mastery of the subject while also remaining compulsively readable.” (Seed Magazine )

“Distinguished by outstanding color illustrations and photographs, the very reasonably priced atlas should appeal to a broad audience.” (Booklist )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian; 1 edition (May 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061565261
• ISBN-13: 978-0061565267
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #995,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roger D. Launius is a senior curator in the Division of Space History at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Between 1990 and 2002 he served as chief historian of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. A graduate of Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, he received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in 1982 and worked as a civilian historian with the United States Air Force until 1990.

He has written or edited more than twenty books on aerospace history, among others including "Smithsonian Atlas of Space Exploration" (HarperCollins, 2009); "Robots in Space: Technology, Evolution, and Interplanetary Travel" (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008); "Space Stations: Base Camps to the Stars" (Smithsonian Books, 2003; 2nd ed. 2009), which received the AIAA's history manuscript prize; "Flight: A Celebration of 100 Years in Art and Literature" (Welcome Books, 2003); "Reconsidering a Century of Flight" (University of North Carolina Press, 2003); "To Reach the High Frontier: A History of U.S. Launch Vehicles" (University Press of Kentucky, 2002); "Imagining Space: Achievements, Possibilities, Projections, 1950-2050" (Chronicle Books, 2001); "Innovation and the Development of Flight" (Texas A&M University Press, 1999); "NASA & the Exploration of Space" (Stewart, Tabori, & Chang, 1998); "Frontiers of Space Exploration" (Greenwood Press, 1998, rev. ed. 2004); "Spaceflight and the Myth of Presidential Leadership" (University of Illinois Press, 1997); and "NASA: A History of the U.S. Civil Space Program" (Krieger Publishing Co., 1994, rev. ed. 2001).

He is also involved in other historical studies. His book, "Joseph Smith III: Pragmatic Prophet" (University of Illinois Press, 1988), won the prestigious Evans Award for biography. He has also published "Differing Visions: Dissenters in Mormon History" (University of Illinois Press, 1994), "Cultures in Conflict: A Documentary History of the Mormon War in Illinois" (Utah State University Press, 1995), "Kingdom on the Mississippi Revisited: Nauvoo in Mormon History" (University of Illinois Press, 1996), and several others. "Alexander William Doniphan: Portrait of a Missouri Moderate" (University of Missouri Press, 1997), discusses the role of the vital center in American politics during the Mexican-American War and sectional conflict.

More recently he has been studying the relationship of baseball to American culture and has published, "Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman" (Walker and Co., 2010), and "Seasons in the Sun: The Story of Big League Baseball in Missouri" (University of Missouri Press, 2002).

He served as a consultant to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board in 2003 and presented the prestigious Harmon Memorial Lecture in Military History at the United States Air Force Academy in 2006. In addition, he is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the American Astronautical Society, and Associate Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is frequently consulted by the electronic and print media for his views on space issues, and has been a guest commentator on National Public Radio and all the major television networks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally!, August 30, 2009

By 

Mitchel Fidel (PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Smithsonian Atlas of Space Exploration (Hardcover)

I've been waiting for a book like this for many years. This book covers its subject much more thoroughly and beautifully than any of its predecessors in the field. Whatever is covered within is covered well. As a fan of space exploration I only regret that certain subjects were given short shrift, such as the astronauts' and cosmonauts' identities and careers.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Incomplete and unsatisfying, June 22, 2011

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Ursiform (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Smithsonian Atlas of Space Exploration (Hardcover)

Having finally bought a copy of the book that inspired me in my youth, "History of Rocketry and Space Travel", I wondered upon seeing this book if it might somehow fill a similar niche a half century later.

In a word, "no".

To begin with, it is not an "Atlas" in any sense of the word I am familiar with. It is closer to being an encyclopedia, although arranged thematically rather than alphabetically. It covers many topics, generally in two, occasionally in four, pages. As such, there is no narrative flow, and everything seems condensed to fit the format. Well, maybe not the pictures. It's all about pictures nowadays, isn't it? Why waste paper on actual words?

The early history is weak in this volume, although they throw in topics like ancient observatories which don't really fit the subject. There is actually more on pop culture, which seems overdone. And the focus leans heavily toward America in space; I'm a pretty red-blooded American, but a history/survey like this should try to be dispassionate.

I don't have a problem with anything that is in the book, I just think it could have been a lot better. Maybe the Smithsonian sees its role as catering to 30 second attention spans; I think it should aim higher.