Space Station: Base Camps to the Stars

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Book on the History of Space Stations
Review: "Space Station: Base Camps to the Stars" is a fantastic book detaling in sweeping perspective the exciting and little known history of space stations, from their origins to the ISS. Each chapter covers a major episode in the history of our endeavors to establish a permanent human presence in space. With rigorous historical research and a keen understanding of how space programs work, Roger Launius describes and analyzes how early dreams and concepts have turned into reality, and sometimes disillusions. Lessons from our cumulative space station experiences for the future are also drawn. These lessons will be key to assimilate not just for future space station efforts but indeed if we are to successfully return to the Moon or send humans to Mars.
The book is beautifully illustrated with many rare drawings, paintings, photographs and other documents. Comprehensive notes with bibliographical information are also provided. These make for a very valuable reference that should appeal to the interested lay reader and specialist alike.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Book on the History of Space Stations
Review: "Space Station: Base Camps to the Stars" is a fantastic book detaling in sweeping perspective the exciting and little known history of space stations, from their origins to the ISS. Each chapter covers a major episode in the history of our endeavors to establish a permanent human presence in space. With rigorous historical research and a keen understanding of how space programs work, Roger Launius describes and analyzes how early dreams and concepts have turned into reality, and sometimes disillusions. Lessons from our cumulative space station experiences for the future are also drawn. These lessons will be key to assimilate not just for future space station efforts but indeed if we are to successfully return to the Moon or send humans to Mars.
The book is beautifully illustrated with many rare drawings, paintings, photographs and other documents. Comprehensive notes with bibliographical information are also provided. These make for a very valuable reference that should appeal to the interested lay reader and specialist alike.