This work includes a foreword by Arthur C Clarke. In October 1957, a metallic sphere the size of a basketball bleeped its way into orbit. It was called 'Sputnik'. From this modest beginning, an epic new adventure was born. In less than the span of a human lifetime we have explored the Moon and launched robot probes to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and far beyond. "Space" explores the major themes of rocket exploration, past, present and future, and celebrates the first half-century of space exploration. Specially selected images recall an age when giant rockets were the last word in modernity, and silver-suited astronauts were household names. Now we are preparing for a historic return to the Moon in the coming decade, and making serious plans to explore Mars. What awaits us in the next 50 years of space exploration?
The contents include: from literature to launch day - science fiction predicts rockets and space exploration; The Heavens and the Earth - experimental missiles and satellites inspire the politicians; Selling the Space Age - consumer culture absorbs the romance of rockets; Red Star in Orbit - Russian triumphs and tragedies in orbit, and on earth; Machine Ambassadors - robot probes explore Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn; and The Way Ahead - do we have a long-term future in space?
- ISBN10 0007242220
- ISBN13 9780007242221
- Publish Date 2 October 2006
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 25 January 2008
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint Collins
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 320
- Language English
- URL http://harpercollins.co.uk