Virtual Apollo: A Pictorial Essay of the Engineering and Construction of the Apollo Command and Service Modules [Paperback]

Scott Sullivan (Author), Tom Hanks (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2003

With this book readers can become acquainted with the Apollo spacecraft in detail and learn the story of its design and construction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an informative book with very good clear illustrations. Space enthusiasts will want a copy on their reference bookshelves..." -- Spaceflight, December 2003. "...a remarkable little book...full of fascinating detail..." -- The Observatory, February 2004.

About the Author

Scott P. Sullivan is a freelance mechanical designer and artist. His design portfolio includes work for Rayovac, Warner Bros., and Intel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Collector's Guide Publishing, Inc. (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1896522947
• ISBN-13: 978-1896522944
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible quality and details!, August 7, 2004

By 

Jon Konrath "Jon" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Virtual Apollo: A Pictorial Essay of the Engineering and Construction of the Apollo Command and Service Modules (Paperback)

This book is a strange concept that sounds like it might not work - Scott Sullivan did a ton of research on the Apollo command and service modules, from blueprints and other sources, and then plugged it all into a computer program and made CAD drawings and incredible cutaways from every system. The results are truly phenomenal; every page of this full-color book is glossy and of the quality usually reserved for high-end art books costing ten times as much.

As far as detail, I felt I had enough info to start building one of these things in my back yard if the local hardware store sold all of the titanium I'd need! I don't think the original space program had blueprints as detailed and colorful as those within the pages of this book. I am a big techno-geek, always wondering how things work and are put together, and I have spent hours and hours gawking at these drawings, looking at how heat shields are made or how astronauts stored their gear. There's also a lot of text per page telling you what you're looking at and how things were assembled.

This is not only a well-executed book, but a great idea for other similar books for other parts of the space program. If Mr. Sullivan announced a large-format set of plans for the Space Shuttle or Skylab, I would be the first in line, no matter what they cost!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Book, May 31, 2003

By 

Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Virtual Apollo: A Pictorial Essay of the Engineering and Construction of the Apollo Command and Service Modules (Paperback)

Scott Sullivan has produced the book I was waiting for! I have been desiring a book about Apollo CM/SM details and construction, and this was the one that was worth waiting for.

Though I have been an Apollo addict for years, and have read all the NASA Mission Reports (also available from Apogee Books) some things were difficult for me to actually visualize without Scott's CAD drawings. Part of the problem with previous books, even well illustrated books, was the uniqueness and density of the CM design. For instance in space, there is no up, so it becomes sometimes difficult by reading accounts the interrelationship between the LEB and associated spaces. Now it is crystal clear.

I hope that Scott Sullivan will come out with a LM book to accompany this brilliant work. Thank you, Scott!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Might as well be NASA plans, January 1, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Virtual Apollo: A Pictorial Essay of the Engineering and Construction of the Apollo Command and Service Modules (Paperback)

This book could have been mistaken for NASA official design plans. Includes 3d images to give an idea of where things are within the CSM. Detailed descriptions of CM and SM as well as docking port. Has instrument panel diagrams and cockpit control layout designs. Includes abort checklists, etc. and everything you need to learn how to build and fly your very own Apollo 18, which was aborted due to budget cuts. NOTE: Does not include description or diagram of of Saturn V or 1B booster rockets or details of missions except an in-depth description of the Apollo 1 tragedy.