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The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration: NASA and the Incredible Story of Human Spaceflight
16 Hours and 13 Minutes
The fascinating story of how NASA sent humans to explore outer space, told through a treasure trove of documents from the NASA archives--publishing in celebration of NASA's 60th anniversary and with a foreword by Bill Nye
Among all the technological accomplishments of the last century, none has captured our imagination more deeply than the movement of humans into outer space. From Sputnik to SpaceX, the story of that journey is told as never before in The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration.
Renowned space historian John Logsdon has uncovered the most fascinating items in the NASA archive and woven them together with expert narrative guidance to create a history of how Americans got to space and what we've done there. Beginning with rocket genius Wernher von Braun's vision for voyaging to Mars, and closing with Elon Musk's contemporary plan to get there, this volume traces major events like the founding of NASA, the first American astronauts in space, the moon landings, the Challenger disaster, the daring Hubble Telescope repairs, and more. In these pages, we find such gems as Eisenhower's reactions to Sputnik, the original NASA astronaut application, John Glenn's reflections on zero gravity, Kennedy's directives to go to the moon, discussions on what Neil Armstrong's first famous first words should be, customs forms filled out by astronauts bringing back moon rocks, transcribed conversations with Nixon on ending Project Apollo and beginning the space shuttle program, and so much more.
The fascinating story of how NASA sent humans to explore outer space, told through a treasure trove of documents from the NASA archives--publishing in celebration of NASA's 60th anniversary and with a foreword by Bill Nye
Among all the technological accomplishments of the last century, none has captured our imagination more deeply than the movement of humans into outer space. From Sputnik to SpaceX, the story of that journey is told as never before in The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration.
Renowned space historian John Logsdon has uncovered the most fascinating items in the NASA archive and woven them together with expert narrative guidance to create a history of how Americans got to space and what we've done there. Beginning with rocket genius Wernher von Braun's vision for voyaging to Mars, and closing with Elon Musk's contemporary plan to get there, this volume traces major events like the founding of NASA, the first American astronauts in space, the moon landings, the Challenger disaster, the daring Hubble Telescope repairs, and more. In these pages, we find such gems as Eisenhower's reactions to Sputnik, the original NASA astronaut application, John Glenn's reflections on zero gravity, Kennedy's directives to go to the moon, discussions on what Neil Armstrong's first famous first words should be, customs forms filled out by astronauts bringing back moon rocks, transcribed conversations with Nixon on ending Project Apollo and beginning the space shuttle program, and so much more.
17 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2018
32 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
John M. Logsdon
19 books7 followersJohn M. Logsdon is the founder and from 1987 to 2008 was the director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University.
In 2003, Logsdon was a member of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. He is a former member of the NASA Advisory Council. He is frequently cited as an authority on space policy and history by press entities such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has appeared on various television networks.
Logsdon is a professor emeritus of political science and international affairs, and has been on the GW faculty since 1970. He is also on the faculty of the International Space University In 1992–1993 he held the first chair in Space History at the National Air and Space Museum and in 2008–2009 was Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History at that museum. Logsdon authored the entry on space exploration for the latest edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica and many articles and commentaries. He is author of The Decision to Go to the Moon: Project Apollo and the National Interest (MIT Press, 1970), and the general editor of the seven-volume series Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the U.S. Civil Space Program (MIT Press, 1970). Dr. Logsdon is the author more recently of the award-winning John F. Kennedy and the Race to the Moon (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010) and After Apollo? Richard Nixon and the American Space Program (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015).
The International Astronautical Federation awarded Logsdon the 2013 Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal for outstanding contributions including space policy decision-making, space history, and education. Logsdon is a recipient of the Exceptional Public Service, Distinguished Public Service, and Public Service Medals from NASA, the 2005 John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award from the American Astronautical Society, and the 2006 Barry Goldwater Space Educator Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and former chair of its Commission on Space Policy, Law, and Economics. He is a member of the board of directors of The Planetary Society and the Academic Council of the International Space University. He is on the editorial board of the international journal Space Policy and was its North American editor from 1985 to 2000. He is also on the editorial boards of the journals New Space and Astropolitics.
Logsdon holds a B.S. in physics from Xavier University (1960) and a Ph.D. in political science from New York University (1970).
source: Wikipedia
In 2003, Logsdon was a member of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. He is a former member of the NASA Advisory Council. He is frequently cited as an authority on space policy and history by press entities such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, and has appeared on various television networks.
Logsdon is a professor emeritus of political science and international affairs, and has been on the GW faculty since 1970. He is also on the faculty of the International Space University In 1992–1993 he held the first chair in Space History at the National Air and Space Museum and in 2008–2009 was Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History at that museum. Logsdon authored the entry on space exploration for the latest edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica and many articles and commentaries. He is author of The Decision to Go to the Moon: Project Apollo and the National Interest (MIT Press, 1970), and the general editor of the seven-volume series Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the U.S. Civil Space Program (MIT Press, 1970). Dr. Logsdon is the author more recently of the award-winning John F. Kennedy and the Race to the Moon (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010) and After Apollo? Richard Nixon and the American Space Program (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015).
The International Astronautical Federation awarded Logsdon the 2013 Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal for outstanding contributions including space policy decision-making, space history, and education. Logsdon is a recipient of the Exceptional Public Service, Distinguished Public Service, and Public Service Medals from NASA, the 2005 John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award from the American Astronautical Society, and the 2006 Barry Goldwater Space Educator Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a member of the International Academy of Astronautics and former chair of its Commission on Space Policy, Law, and Economics. He is a member of the board of directors of The Planetary Society and the Academic Council of the International Space University. He is on the editorial board of the international journal Space Policy and was its North American editor from 1985 to 2000. He is also on the editorial boards of the journals New Space and Astropolitics.
Logsdon holds a B.S. in physics from Xavier University (1960) and a Ph.D. in political science from New York University (1970).
source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 8, 2020
Summary: A great book of what actually happened with the consolidation of meaningful letters and well-written descriptions that provide context. Fantastic reference material for sure.
Vlog to come week of Mar 9th - IGTV @WhereisMayLing Youtube: Diary of a Speed Reader
Aside from the great info on space, you got to think... wow... memo writing was so amazing back then. I liked looking at the format itself. (#Iamasuperdork).
p. 98 - This memo lays out how they decided upon the 7 to go into space. the board chairman alone determined the final people. Wow.
p. 104 - The idea to televise was highly controversial internally as the Russians were super secret. This memo describes what was said against it.
p. 114 - The sale of astraunaut life stories. There is a contract with LIFE. it's unclear to me in subsequent memos the actual economic split, but intriguing that the US gov did in large part benefit financial from such sales.
p. 144 We knew we were very far behind the soviets. I'd love to read more about what was driving space travel in russia.
p. 153 - They put the goal at putting someone on the moon, b/c the Soviets had us beat at the other stuff. Good point. $549mm was approved with little opposition.
p. 167 Kennedy reiterates the importance of putting a man on the moon over going to mars. It's the compromise of politics and optics. Interesting.
p. 207 They spoke of contingencies if it was a 1 way trip.
p. 223 After putting someone on the moon it gets a little harder to fund the program additionally. Les momentum.
p. 292 Obama's decision to cut the space program was mostly criticized for jobs. This should have been more than made up for in what happened in the private sector, I think. Here is where I wished they would have layed things out a little differently. I think a different book I read did a better job.
p. 299 - Full reusability will be key to decreasing the cost of space flights. Right now everything just burns up on the trip.
Vlog to come week of Mar 9th - IGTV @WhereisMayLing Youtube: Diary of a Speed Reader
Aside from the great info on space, you got to think... wow... memo writing was so amazing back then. I liked looking at the format itself. (#Iamasuperdork).
p. 98 - This memo lays out how they decided upon the 7 to go into space. the board chairman alone determined the final people. Wow.
p. 104 - The idea to televise was highly controversial internally as the Russians were super secret. This memo describes what was said against it.
p. 114 - The sale of astraunaut life stories. There is a contract with LIFE. it's unclear to me in subsequent memos the actual economic split, but intriguing that the US gov did in large part benefit financial from such sales.
p. 144 We knew we were very far behind the soviets. I'd love to read more about what was driving space travel in russia.
p. 153 - They put the goal at putting someone on the moon, b/c the Soviets had us beat at the other stuff. Good point. $549mm was approved with little opposition.
p. 167 Kennedy reiterates the importance of putting a man on the moon over going to mars. It's the compromise of politics and optics. Interesting.
p. 207 They spoke of contingencies if it was a 1 way trip.
p. 223 After putting someone on the moon it gets a little harder to fund the program additionally. Les momentum.
p. 292 Obama's decision to cut the space program was mostly criticized for jobs. This should have been more than made up for in what happened in the private sector, I think. Here is where I wished they would have layed things out a little differently. I think a different book I read did a better job.
p. 299 - Full reusability will be key to decreasing the cost of space flights. Right now everything just burns up on the trip.
February 1, 2023
This is a mostly rather dry archive of official documents relating to the political and engineering decisions behind NASA's crewed space program, with a heavy emphasis on the Mercury and Apollo programs and ending with Elon Musk's plans for his Mars colony. One for the reference library.
October 29, 2018
A great source of documents about the space race and the entire program. It is essential for every space enthusiast.
John Logsdon is one of the premier experts on space policy and space history. Each document conveys the spirit of the times and why certain paths were chosen.
John Logsdon is one of the premier experts on space policy and space history. Each document conveys the spirit of the times and why certain paths were chosen.
Read
February 28, 2019A glimpse of the official documents that changed history. Bear in mind that it is not a history of outer space exploration as the title suggests, but rather a history of NASA. Some of it is dry for a casual audience, but it is a good alternative to the 7 volume set published by Logsdon. Overall, worth reading as a glimpse into the past and an optimistic view of the future.
July 21, 2019
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 5.0 of 5
It is pretty hard to miss the fact that we are currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first crewed moon landing (July 20, 1969). There are abundant films, books, and memorabilia celebrating this feat. The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration is certainly timed to coincide with this anniversary, though it explores a much wider range than just the lunar landing(s).
Editor John Logsdon has pulled together select items that chronicle the United States' space exploration, from inception to infancy to today's hopes for the private sector exploration.
We can read history's and first-hand accounts from any number of participants in the space age infancy since we still are in its infancy, but what this does differently is give us direct access to the thoughts and planning and politics behind the events.
Starting with articles published in Collier's magazine as early as 1952 and an article in 1954 written by Wernher von Braun titled “Can We Get to Mars?,” we get all the way to 2016 and Elon Musk's address to the International Astronautical Congress, “Making Humans a Multi-Planetary Species.” Some of the most interesting pieces included in the book, from a political standpoint, are tape recording transcripts from the Nixon Whitehouse and we see just how much NASA and the future of space exploration relied on political ambition:
This political maneuvering - how our government has used the space program for political/party gain - certainly doesn't come as a surprise, but it's fascinating to actually follow.
I also quite liked the debriefing reports. From the astronauts on various voyages as well as the occasional technical debriefing. This generally straightforward reporting of a flight is a side that the layman generally doesn't see.
And all along the savvy reader will come away with anecdotes to share with friends. My favorite was learning that the Apollo 11 astronauts, after coming back to Earth and being picked up by the recovery ship and sitting through quarantine (we had no idea what alien microbes might have been picked up at that time) - on arriving in Hawaii, the astronauts flew back to Texas ... and had to go through customs!
Looking for a good book? The Penguin Book of Outer Space, edited by John Logsdon is a must-read for anyone with an interest in mankind's adventure in space, and a perfect gift for anyone you might want to get interested in space exploration.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
It is pretty hard to miss the fact that we are currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first crewed moon landing (July 20, 1969). There are abundant films, books, and memorabilia celebrating this feat. The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration is certainly timed to coincide with this anniversary, though it explores a much wider range than just the lunar landing(s).
Editor John Logsdon has pulled together select items that chronicle the United States' space exploration, from inception to infancy to today's hopes for the private sector exploration.
We can read history's and first-hand accounts from any number of participants in the space age infancy since we still are in its infancy, but what this does differently is give us direct access to the thoughts and planning and politics behind the events.
Starting with articles published in Collier's magazine as early as 1952 and an article in 1954 written by Wernher von Braun titled “Can We Get to Mars?,” we get all the way to 2016 and Elon Musk's address to the International Astronautical Congress, “Making Humans a Multi-Planetary Species.” Some of the most interesting pieces included in the book, from a political standpoint, are tape recording transcripts from the Nixon Whitehouse and we see just how much NASA and the future of space exploration relied on political ambition:
Nixon: Space, what’s the problem here?
Ehrlichman: Well the problem here is do we go ahead with the
next two shots [Apollo 16 and 17]?
Nixon: No! If we go, no shots before the election.
Ehrlichman: Then what would we do with all those employees?
Nixon: For those shots? How many, George?
Shultz: 17,500 or something like that.
Nixon: I don’t like the feeling of space shots between now and
the election.
Ehrlichman: But thinking of this thing [the space program] in
just pure job terms, it is a hell of a job creator.
...
Nixon: I only see a minor waste of money. Keep the people on,
but don’t make the shots. I just don’t feel the shots are a big
deal at this time
. . . There is also the risk you could have another
Apollo 13
. . . That would be the worst thing we could
have
. . . We are just not going to do it. There will not be any
launches between now and the election. The last shot, fine.
Let’s go forward with the last shot.
This political maneuvering - how our government has used the space program for political/party gain - certainly doesn't come as a surprise, but it's fascinating to actually follow.
I also quite liked the debriefing reports. From the astronauts on various voyages as well as the occasional technical debriefing. This generally straightforward reporting of a flight is a side that the layman generally doesn't see.
And all along the savvy reader will come away with anecdotes to share with friends. My favorite was learning that the Apollo 11 astronauts, after coming back to Earth and being picked up by the recovery ship and sitting through quarantine (we had no idea what alien microbes might have been picked up at that time) - on arriving in Hawaii, the astronauts flew back to Texas ... and had to go through customs!
Looking for a good book? The Penguin Book of Outer Space, edited by John Logsdon is a must-read for anyone with an interest in mankind's adventure in space, and a perfect gift for anyone you might want to get interested in space exploration.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2019
Well-chosen series of articles, memos, presidential speeches, and other documents that give the history of space exploration from the beginning until now. Short explanations before each entry help you understand the context. I know very little about rocketry and space so some of it was too technical for me, but anyone can appreciate John Glenn's description of his first orbit, the report, Jim Lovell's telling of what went wrong on Apollo 13, and Nixon's thankfully unused speech in the event that the moon landing failed and the astronauts were unable to return.
Begins with Werner Van Braun's article on how far we could possibly get (the moon and beyond) before we even knew how to get there and ends with Elon Musk's speech on getting to Mars and beyond, again, even though we don't yet know how.
The contrast between our optimism and a abilities during the space race and the lack of interest after the moon landing is clear. The editor is definitely trying to point out the problem with the lack of focus in the past 30 years, but it is undeniable. One of the casualties of the fall of the Soviet Union. It's amazing we got to the moon with the technology at the time. With the same drive, where would we be today?
Begins with Werner Van Braun's article on how far we could possibly get (the moon and beyond) before we even knew how to get there and ends with Elon Musk's speech on getting to Mars and beyond, again, even though we don't yet know how.
The contrast between our optimism and a abilities during the space race and the lack of interest after the moon landing is clear. The editor is definitely trying to point out the problem with the lack of focus in the past 30 years, but it is undeniable. One of the casualties of the fall of the Soviet Union. It's amazing we got to the moon with the technology at the time. With the same drive, where would we be today?
September 8, 2019
This brilliant anthology of source material collects the essential moments of NASA’s history, from speeches to interviews, and from scientific documents to interview transcriptions. It carries from the momentous (John Glenn’s memoir of his first orbit of Earth), to the quirky (the astronauts’ customs declarations for moon rocks), and also the sobering (Nixon’s drafted speech in case of an Apollo 11 tragedy and Jim Lovell’s account of Apollo 13’s failure).
Bookended by Wernher von Braun’s plea to reach for the Moon, and Elon Musk’s recent call to go to Mars, this is a rich treasure trove drawing widely from the famous to many newly revealed or declassified sources. Well-read space nerds and history buffs will find astonishing new material here. Others will enjoy the continuity of ambition and yearning across decades, in a neat montage of history. Logsdon is an official NASA historian with unrivalled access.
Bookended by Wernher von Braun’s plea to reach for the Moon, and Elon Musk’s recent call to go to Mars, this is a rich treasure trove drawing widely from the famous to many newly revealed or declassified sources. Well-read space nerds and history buffs will find astonishing new material here. Others will enjoy the continuity of ambition and yearning across decades, in a neat montage of history. Logsdon is an official NASA historian with unrivalled access.
August 28, 2020
Uma outra forma de descobrir a história da exploração espacial. Não através de uma narrativa criada por um historiador, mas através de documentos-chave, fontes primárias selecionadas que nos mostram as ideias, processos de decisão, problemas de técnica e engenharia, constrangimentos financeiros, pressões políticas e clima de competição que caracterizaram a exploração espacial americana. Descobrimos os primeiros projetos, o profundo investimento do projeto Apollo, terminando com a retração da NASA para projetos mais sustentáveis e de cooperação, bem como o contributo dos novos operadores privados do espaço. Tudo contado através de memorandos, relatórios técnicos, políticos e financeiros, excertos de discursos, transcrições de conversas e atas de reuniões.
July 11, 2023
A very interesting book giving detailed insights on almost every step of the space program and its future. The texts come from the Presidents, the directors and personalities in a multitude of government bodies.
There is something in their for everybody. I personally was interested in astronomy and history so I found a large portion of the book appealing. However, I'm not an engineering person so it was hard for me to grasp the engineering details of the spacecrafts.
Initially I found the course of the book tricky to follow as it is not written paragraph after paragraph but rather one document after another with narrations in between. Each document is dated making it progressively easier to follow.
There is something in their for everybody. I personally was interested in astronomy and history so I found a large portion of the book appealing. However, I'm not an engineering person so it was hard for me to grasp the engineering details of the spacecrafts.
Initially I found the course of the book tricky to follow as it is not written paragraph after paragraph but rather one document after another with narrations in between. Each document is dated making it progressively easier to follow.
March 20, 2021
This was a great resource for a research paper I was writing about Wernher von Braun. This book has primary sources such as letters and documents inside of it, is clearly laid out, and often has annotations about the primary source. It was very interesting, wasn't very long, and was actually interesting to read unlike many of the other sources I used for the same paper. Would definitely recommend if you are interested in space, rockets, or just want a more specific understanding of the process behind the first moon landing.
October 5, 2019
As an annotated reproduction of key documents in the development of human spaceflight, this is a fascinating read. Although some of it is rather depressing political manoeuvering there is a great deal of sheer enthusiasm and vision from astronauts and engineers. In particular the final section, Elon Musk's vision of a multi-planetary humanity, is gloriously uplifting.
An essential addendum to the history of spaceflight if a little overpriced.
An essential addendum to the history of spaceflight if a little overpriced.
May 4, 2019
I was surprised how enjoyable this book was. Although it only covers the US in detail, it provides illuminating excerpts of speeches, reports and recorded conversations to tell the story of the space age so far.
August 17, 2022
This was cool. It was interesting just how intensely NASA was considered to be tied to national (American) morale, and how many times the word 'conquest' was used. A bit dry at times, since it is a collection of documents, but very well put together.
July 23, 2023
A brilliant compilation that tells the story of manned space exploration from the perspective of its principal actors and key decision makers. Its only drawback is that some of the documents are, at times, rather dry without further external research about their context and content.
March 23, 2019
Really detailed information about NASA. If you're into the topic you're going to love it. If not, it'll be too much info.
August 6, 2019
Wonderful to read primary source material. Had no idea that LBJ worked to keep women out of spaceflight.
February 15, 2022
A little dry in the beginning but really took off near the middle.
January 23, 2025
This is a straightforward summary of the history of NASA with lots of primary sources. I would recommend this to people who are already enthusiastic about the space program.
July 17, 2022
I think I put my expectation too high for this book. It's too many narrative of long records of letters sending up before the NASA launch the mission and such, only enjoy the latter part of the book
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews