Exploring Space

NPR American Chronicles

by National Public Radio, Joe Palca (Reading)

From the competitive spirit ignited by Sputnik to the tragedies and triumphs of the Apollo missions, from the technological leap forward created by the Space Shuttle to the global cooperation forged by the International Space Station and beyond, NPR examines the inspirational story of modern space exploration and the extraordinary individuals who made it possible. Featuring in-depth profiles of landmark missions, along with interviews and commentary from voices that have lived the dream, including astronauts John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Bernard Harris, Sally Ride, and many more.

Genres: Audiobook

210 pages, Audio CD

First published July 30, 2013

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new topic for me… the astronaut on the cover made me stop. I actually stared and looked into the black background of space. NPR always makes it’s subjects interesting and you wind up wanting to know more. This little gem was no different.

As I listened I recalled my grade school Weekly Readers with space stories. None of which at the time held my interest. Even the televised moon walk I found a bit bothersome. Although there were moments I tried really hard to imagine them walking on the moon. Now I am fascinated and do not take any of it for granted.

The retelling of the accidents was just as horrifying….as any accident is.

I was very surprised to hear about the secret program for women astronauts. Which was eliminated because they were women, and you know how that story goes. So aggravating…at least there were people at the time who knew otherwise. A little more digging and I discovered a movie which came out this year on Netflix “Mercury 13”. And is also a book. And another book Almost astronauts 13 women who dared to dream by Tanya Lee Stone. I’ll be checking all this out after this!

John Young (1st Gemini Pilot 1960) was interviewed and explained how excited he and his fellow pilots were when they heard the space program was recruiting pilots to be astronauts. He signed up and felt lucky to be chosen. He commented how important it was to colonize space. In so many words he said people were destroying the planet earth and people should be worried about it. Since no one is taking care of it. The future of the human race is in space. As he said, you didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know this. There were a few chuckles. Somehow this doesn’t seem so funny to me. Sad sigh.

Also discussed was the destruction of original moon walk footage. The reason being better photos were available making the original’s obsolete. Apparently, there was a camera on board that did take clear photos and the creator of that camera tried to locate any available footage. It seems a bit sad to realize the first photos weren’t saved. Seems there were running out of space.

[Nathan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of NPR segments on the subject of space travel, this collection delivers everything we've come to expect from public radio. It's well-done, even if some of the segments might lack the depth that some listeners might hope for.

[Scott Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked.

[Cameron Reid Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun and interesting stories

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook and it contained interviews with the people involved. Having lived through this period and read a number of books on the subject there was not much I didn't know, but that doesn't mean this wasn't interesting.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of man in space.