The First Space Race: Launching the World's First Satellites

Centennial of Flight Series

by Matthew A. Bille, Erika Lishock, James Alfred van Allen (Foreword)

From 1955 to 1958, American and Soviet engineers battled to launch successfully the world's first satellite, as the first nation to do so would gain advantages in science, the Cold War propaganda contest, and the military balance of power.

The race to orbit featured two American teams led by rival Services—the army and the navy—and a Soviet effort so secret that few even knew it existed. Now, Matt Bille and Erika Lishock tell this story from both sides of the Iron Curtain, from the origins of spaceflight theory through the military and political events that shaped the modern world.

Some aspects of this story, such as the navy's NOTSNIK satellite project, are almost unknown. Even some details of well-known programs, such as the appearance of America's pioneering Explorer 1 satellite and the contributions made by its rival, Project Vanguard, are generally misremembered.

In today's era of space shuttles, Mars rovers, and the International Space Station, it is difficult to imagine just how challenging the first steps into space really were. Yet at the end of the race, not only had those first satellites been launched, but he resulting new technologies had forever changed life on Earth.

About the Authors:
Matt Bille, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, works with the global consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton on space policy and technology projects.
Erika Lishock is currently an associate with Booz Allen Hamilton. She also lives in Colorado Springs.

Genres: Science

232 pages, Hardcover

First published August 8, 2004

Reviews

[Cherei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone who dreams of the day mankind will eventually get off of this rock and populate the heavens. It's amazing how those who dreamed of the first rockets even though separated by distance, countries and culture.. were amazingly so close in the same scientific parallels in their development of the first rockets.

I did not realize that the USA, USSR and Germany were all using the same scientific works of one man. Just think how much further along we'd be if we could take the politicians out of the mix and make REAL science something that would actually benefit mankind. Sadly, most developments that were bought and paid for by governments are driven by the military needs.. not the need to ensure the survival of our species.

I learned a great deal of history that I was completely unaware of.. and learned the background stories of many of the bits and pieces that I already knew. This book is not geared towards any one country or government.. but, instead.. puts all of the father's of rocketry into a good light. I knew about Von Braun.. what I didn't know.. was how carefully guarded he was by the USA government once he settled here. To think, we almost lost him.. when he married. It does make you wonder.. how many others were lost to Siberian prisons that weren't as well known.

An excellent read! It does leave you chuckling about how little equipment was actually inside of Sputnik. (as most of it was battery). As one who has traveled to many museums that touch upon mankind's desire to take us as a species into unknown worlds.. this is literally Rocketry 101! And, a must for any space enthusiast!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent addition to books on space history is devoted to the effort to launch the first satellites. Some of this information is usually included with other books on space history, but only as a chapter or two. It was quite nice to have this book devoted entirely to the subject of the early satellites. The book covers the major players and programs of the era. You get great detail on the Russian program that turned into Sputnik, the Vanguard program, Explorer program and the (usually never heard of) NOTSNIK program. You get a good sense of how much politics affected these early programs, especially on the American side. I would recommend this to anyone looking for information on the earliest satellite launches, or any space enthusiast. Definitely a worthwhile read.