THE COMPLETE BOOK OF SPACECRAFT: Rockets, Shuttles, Satellites, and Space Stations, tech history

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF SPACECRAFT: Rockets, Shuttles, Satellites, and Space Stations
MICHAEL H. GORN (Text & Illus. Giuseppe De Chiara, tr. Davide Sivolella)
Motorbooks International (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$40.00 all editions, available noe

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Marvel at the history of space exploration through its daring vehicles, exhaustively chronicled in this authoritative volume featuring more than 250 artworks.

In 1957, the world looked on with both uncertainty and amazement as the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first man-made orbiter. Sputnik 1 would spend three months circling Earth every 98 minutes and cover 71 million miles in the process. The world's space programs have traveled far (literally and figuratively) since then, and the spacecraft they have developed and deployed represent almost unthinkable advances for such a relatively short period.

In Spacecraft, illustrator and aerospace professional Giuseppe De Chiara teams up with aerospace historian Michael Gorn to present a huge, profusely illustrated aerospace history profiling and depicting spacecraft from Sputnik 1 through the International Space Station and everything in between, including concepts that have yet to actually venture outside the Earth's atmosphere.

This updated and revised edition includes:

Expertly written profiles depicting and describing the design, development, and deployment of manned and unmanned spacecraft from around the world, including satellites, capsules, spaceplanes, rockets, and space stations—now updated with the latest models

Vivid scale illustrations of the many international spacecraft in multiple-view, sometimes cross-section, and in many cases shown in archival period photography to provide further historical context

Earthbound and spaceborne data and intel chronicling every technological leap, engineering challenge, and monumental achievement, from troubleshooting the lunar landers of the '60s to engineering solar-driven sails to propel futuristic craft to Mars and beyond

A look ahead to an era of privatized space travel and even plans for lunar and Martian space stations and settlement

Dividing the book by era, De Chiara and Gorn feature spacecraft not only from the United States and Soviet Union/Russia, but also from the European Space Agency and China. The mind-blowing machines examined in this volume include the rockets Energia, Falcon 9, and VEGA; the Hubble Space Telescope; the Cassini space probe; and the Mars rovers, Opportunity, and Curiosity. For anyone who has marveled at humankind's attempts and advances in leaving Earth, Spacecraft: The Complete Guide to the Rockets, Satellites, Capsules, Shuttles, and Stations That Put Us in Space is the definitive reference.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: It's amazing to me the Moon landing was 56 years ago. It's amazing to me the Space Shuttle, that miracle of my teens, hasn't flown in over ten years. Technology becomes history, too.

it all feels like yesterday

The author and author/illustrator get really into details, the illustrations are so detailed as well that they'd have been classified back in the day. The point of a book like this is its blend of fascinating explanation and really cool images, complemented by concept-explaining illustrations:

the poles of the idea

I'm fascinated by space exploration. I grew up with Walter Cronkite explaining how Gemini and Apollo worked, celebrating the advances in technology each launch represented, mourning the loss we suffered through in 1967.

No progress can ever be made without losses, important ones, but the lessons those losses teach can carry through the decades. What else matters in this world but learning to do better, to be better, to expand our enormous reach safely and positively?

the poles of the Space Race: US vs USSR

Many hours of pleasure in this gift book for the recipient who loves rockets, space flight, engineering, all the modern miracles humans have created to expand our understanding of the universe.

You'll know which eager-eyed soul needs to see this on present-opening day. Indulgent it is, pricey, beautiful, and a luxury...but that's the best gift described, no?