Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]

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Description

A complete history of human endeavors in space, this book also moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic issues, and also commercial, civilian, and military applications. * 580 articles describing various aspects of manned and unmanned space exploration, including a full range of social, technological, and political issues, such as government policy, nationalism, and the technology/military-driven economy * Six overview essays, introducing each of the encyclopedia's major sections and putting that aspect of space exploration into historical context * 136 contributors, many who are leading space historians and experts affiliated with the American Astronautical Society, make firsthand knowledge and fresh insights accessible to all audiences * Numerous photos, including stunning shots from space, star charts, technical drawings, and more * Short bibliographies conclude each entry, pointing readers to the best sources to find out more about the topic * A Glossary defining the various technical terms encountered in the encyclopedia

Reviews

"Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia can be highly recommended. Its broad synthesis is remarkable and addresses many topics never before presented in English. Its production reflects the highest professional standards, from organization, content selection, research, and writing to final publication. Editors and authors alike can share credit in this splendid achievement." - Isis "As a seminal work, this will be of use to almost any library. Major users, however, will be young adults and students looking for a place to start in understanding the important relationship of modern space exploration to humanity. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers." - Choice "While there is a fair amount of overlap between this work and the recently reviewed Spaceflight: A Historical Encyclopedia (3 vols., Greenwood), Johnson examines social aspects of voyages to other worlds, whereas Spaceflight focuses on technical/scientific details. Not a question of either/or, but both, if budgets allow, as these twin sets are highly recommended for all public and academic libraries." - Library Journal "...fills a void in the existing literature and will find a home in public, university, government, and corporate libraries and be a valuable reference for those who use it." - Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly

Author Bio

Stephen B. Johnson, PhD, is associate research professor in the National Institute for Science, Space, and Security Centers at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and is currently assigned to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for the Ares I Project and Constellation Program. Timothy M. Chamberlin is design editor for the Tulsa World newspaper in Tulsa, OK. Michael L. Ciancone is an engineer at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, where he provides technical support on human spaceflight safety to the Constellation Program. David Leverington, PhD, now retired, is a writer on the history of astronomy and space research. Katherine Scott Sturdevant, MA and PhD candidate, is professor of history at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, CO. Rick W. Sturdevant, PhD, is deputy director of history at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO.