FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA

by Herb Baker

From going to middle school with the astronaut’s kids, to covering the Apollo 11, 12, 13, & 15 missions onsite at the Manned Spacecraft Center with the news media, to a 42 year career with NASA (spent at JSC, KSC, & NASA HQS), followed by serving as an officer on the NASA Alumni League-JSC Board of Directors, Herb Baker has spent most of his life involved with NASA, supporting the Space Shuttle, ISS, Constellation, and Orion Programs as well as Flight Operations, including support to the Astronaut Office.

From the Apollo missions to the groundbreaking Artemis program that aims to return humanity to the lunar surface, this book chronicles the evolution of NASA through the eyes of someone who lived it. With vivid recollections, the author shares behind-the-scenes stories of the triumphs and tragedies that helped shape the course of space exploration.

Whether you’re a space enthusiast, a history buff, or someone fascinated by the human spirit's relentless pursuit of the unknown, From Apollo to Artemis provides an insider’s perspective on NASA’s most ambitious endeavors. The author’s personal anecdotes, combined with historical context, create a rich narrative that captures the excitement, dedication, and innovation that define NASA.

Genres: Science, History, Nonfiction

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2024

Reviews

[Réal Laplaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Apollo to Artemis: Stories from my 50 years with NASA, by Herb Baker, provides a great insight into one of the most fascinating aspects of our modern day culture - our desire to reach the stars. Baker takes us from the earliest days of NASA, when it was officially greenlighted by President Kennedy, with the objective of putting a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s, through each Apollo mission, the Skylab era, the International Space Station and the newest initiative, Artemis. His 50 years in the field provides an intimate and close-up narrative which exceeds mere facts, because here we are seeing it from the perspective of someone who was there, who met and worked with the people behind the scenes, the techies, the brilliant minds who devised the technology from nothing, and of course, the star voyagers - the astronauts. This book gives us an overview of the space program, as seen from the American side of things, a compendium which ties together the milestones, the beginning of an era when astronauts like John Glenn rocketed into space in the early 60's, to Neil Armstrong's historical step on the moon, and other less famous, but certainly no less important figures, both those in the capsules, and the people behind the scenes who made it possible. You will learn things you never knew - moreover, just how incredible people can be in coming up with life-saving innovations to deal with on-going crises where astronaut's lives hung in the balance. A recommended read. 5 stars!

[Katy]

I received my copy free through GoodReads Giveaways.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Apollo to Artemis: Stories from My 50 Years with NASA” is a memoir in which its author, Herb Baker, allows the reader to explore the back end of the American space program, from the moon shot to today’s contemporary missions. This book showcases the power of perseverance and is a nostalgic look at America’s space program as seen through the eyes of someone with half a century’s experience with it.

And by “back end” I mean “back end;” Mr. Baker shows the reader how the sausage is made, so to speak, from the nuts and bolts contracting and procurement necessary to keep large, complex projects with literally thousands upon thousands of individual steps on schedule and on budget (usually) all the way through competitive bidding.

Mr. Baker cautions the reader up front that his work is not a technical “how-to book” detailing engineering principles or firsthand accounts of mission successes or failures, yet he peppers his memoir with interesting stories and personal encounters, each one with its own human angle.

The book is presented in chronological order, from his first job in 1969 as a teen courier delivering freshly shot TV footage to the airport twice a day; then through Mr. Baker’s first official NASA position as a newly-minted contract specialist at the Johnson Space Center; and finally to his position as the manager for Operations Support (plus post-retirement volunteer work).

The first quarter of the book summarizes the early years of the Apollo program, explained with a common-sense, relaxed style. The reader is then led through the major space programs in the order they occurred, listing how some minor and some very major decisions were made “behind the scenes” for each one. Examples include:

Detailing who sewed the emergency parasol that saved Skylab from a failed solar array deployment, generating an unintended 125°F internal temperature
Describing how to find hydrogen leaks with a broomstick
Mentioning how woodpeckers severely damaged external rocket tanks (and how they were thwarted)
Recounting how he participated in astronaut food “taste tests” (for instance, it took three attempts to get guacamole right)
Describing the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, a 6.2 million gallon water tank where astronaut trainees practice spacewalks and operate equipment without actually being in space (it’s big enough to fit a mockup of major International Space Station components within)
Highlighting a little-known tree memorial dedicated to those who have given their lives in the pursuit of American space travel.
The book is strengthened by many photographs showing the “human” side of the Apollo missions, the launching and maintenance of Skylab and the International Space Station, and the Space Shuttle program. There are some gee-whiz depictions, but also many lighter human-interest snapshots; for instance, one photo of someone presenting a stuffed Snoopy doll to the crew of Apollo 10 right before takeoff, and two other photos showing herds of deer and longhorn cattle that roam the grounds of the Johnson Space Center.

This memoir follows both our developing space program and Mr. Baker’s personal career. He uses his experiences, anecdotes, and conversations to allow the reader to appreciate the teamwork necessary to blast humans beyond Earth’s atmosphere (and feed them, keep them safe, and at peak performance while doing so). The book describes the team atmosphere practiced by our country’s engineers, scientists, contractors, support staff, and, of course, the astronauts themselves, as well as their camaraderie.

Who should read “From Apollo to Artemis?” First and foremost, NASA and technology buffs who want a deeper dive into what it took to convert tax dollars into actual space flight. Readers who appreciate a well-paced memoir will enjoy Herb Baker’s book, as well as those looking for a patriotic pick-me-up memoir about America’s space flight accomplishments, written without hubris—I certainly felt great about being American after finishing this book.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herb Baker’s From Apollo to Artemis offers a firsthand account of a half-century spent at NASA, chronicling everything from the Apollo missions to the Artemis program. Baker shares a unique perspective as someone who worked in the business and procurement side of NASA rather than as an astronaut or engineer. This book is a mosaic of personal anecdotes, historical moments, and behind-the-scenes stories that focus on people rather than just technology, giving it a refreshing and approachable feel.

Baker’s storytelling is charming and very detailed. I found his recollections of working with the news media during the Apollo 11 mission captivating, especially his trips to deliver film reels for broadcast during one of humanity’s greatest achievements. His enthusiasm and awe come through vividly, like when he recalls watching the Moon landing in a cramped TV studio and being swept up in the excitement of the era. These moments made me feel like I was right there with him. Some passages, such as his account of local sports rosters, felt less essential to the otherwise compelling narrative.

Baker's admiration for his colleagues shines, particularly when recounting how teamwork brought the Apollo 13 crew home. The anecdote about the broken circuit breaker, fixed with a felt-tipped pen, highlights the ingenuity and grit that define NASA. I would have appreciated a more balanced discussion of NASA's setbacks, including funding challenges or moments of public criticism. Baker's unwavering optimism is admirable and occasionally makes the book feel more like a tribute than a memoir.

One of my favorite sections discusses Baker’s transition to supporting the Artemis program. His passion for inspiring future generations is evident, especially as he weaves in advice for young professionals dreaming of joining the space industry. I was particularly struck by his admiration for the perseverance of NASA teams who overcame early failures, echoing his father’s life lesson about the importance of sticking one’s neck out.

From Apollo to Artemis is a heartfelt journey through NASA’s history. It is perfect for readers who enjoy personal, behind-the-scenes stories and who want a sense of what it was like to be a part of NASA’s extended family. This book will resonate most with space enthusiasts, history buffs, and aspiring professionals looking for inspiration. Herb Baker’s warmth and humility make this an enjoyable read, even if you’re not a hardcore space fan.

[Book Nerdection · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Be more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.”
-Herb Baker

Herb Baker’s personal memoir, FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA,explores several themes, such as the evolution of NASA and the hard work and teamwork of the employees who made different programs successful. He also gives readers a glimpse into the critical aspects of the agency.

Baker highlights his personal and professional growth in the book. Starting his career in his early teens, he narrates the lives of technicians to astronauts, sharing the hidden challenges they face.

He encourages readers to learn from failures and keep working hard while promoting STEM education.

Baker writes in a personal first-person perspective, which allows readers to deeply connect with the experiences of workers inside the agency. He has an engaging style, using a light and straightforward tone throughout the book.

“I am not an astronaut, engineer, or scientist. I worked in business/procurement as a contracting officer and office manager. My book is about people, events, and what it’s like to work at NASA.”

The pacing of the book suits the genre. Baker creatively writes about different decades at NASA while keeping the book fun and short. He also focuses on delicate details.
One of the most memorable parts of the book is the historic moment of the first moon landing. Baker recalls his excitement at seeing the first moon landing in a cramped TV studio, witnessing history.

The book is highly recommended for readers interested in aerospace engineering, personal memoirs, and history. It is a must-read for everyone, as Baker shares moments often not shown publicly, highlighting the dedication and teamwork of the workers, which makes readers appreciate their efforts.

The book is an inspiration for people interested in pursuing careers in space-related fields. It is a guide to self-determination and scientific achievement.
Overall, FROM APOLLO TO ARTEMIS: STORIES FROM MY 50 YEARS WITH NASA is a valuable read.

Reviewed By Amna

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to meet Herb Baker at the Remembering Columbia Museum in Hemphill, Texas this year. He is not an engineer or a scientist, but he covered the Apollo and Skylab missions for the news media and then spent 42 years for NASA (1975 to 2017) in the procurement business. This meant he worked to acquire goods and services for the space agency, primarily from the Johnson Space Center but also from the Kennedy Space Center and NASA Headquarters for a portion of his career. He writes of the challenges he faced in his many different positions as a procurement specialist, ranging from the Space Shuttle program, to the International Space Station program, to the Artemis program. I think my favorite part of the book is the ending, because he demonstrates that even in his retirement years, he did not want to give up on making a difference for the space agency to which he has devoted his life. He has worked for the NASA Alumni League since his retirement in 2017, during which he has supported institutions such as Space Center Houston, the Remembering Columbia Museum, and Girlstart (an organization designed to encourage girls' interest in STEM). Seven decades have passed since his childhood with an aircraft mechanic father, but even after all of that time he still believes he can make a difference in other people's lives. As I could tell from the presentation I saw him make at the museum, he has a folksy and warm personality that will engage readers of his book. He also has some great stories about astronauts and others with whom he worked. He tells these stories without highly technical jargon, which will appeal to readers like myself who are not scientists or engineers. Readers who want to learn about people and events, rather than highly technical subjects, will appreciate this briskly paced journey through Baker's career.

[TMA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so fortunate that I have my hands on this book. It is wonderful to see an insider's perspective of working at NASA. The book is NOT about engineering, math, or physics. It is actually a collection of stories from Mr. Herb, who worked at NASA in contract management and things not associated with being an astronaut. This is particularly intriguing, especially for young ones who aspire to work at NASA but don't know how. I especially appreciated the multitude of original pictures added within the book, and that this book goes all the way back to the 70's, if not before! Such a treasure! This book is inspiring, exciting, and miscellaneous. I love it.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is an interesting read for any space buff. However, I thought that the book could have benefited from some serious editing. Especially in the listings of all his activities since retirement, I felt as if Mr. Baker simply copied his listings from his daily calendar and added the notes about the meetings. It was nice to read the memories of someone who actually was not involved as an astronaut or in Mission Control. I am sure it would be nice to sit with Mr. Baker and listen to his stories.

[Miss Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good space read

Different perspective on some of the space stories. Told by someone who was one of those people key to its success but not famous like others.
Some great tales.