Gateway to the Moon

by Charles D. Benson, William Barnaby Faherty

Gateway to the Moon presents the definitive history of the origins, design, and construction of the lunar launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center, the terrestrial site of one of the greatest achievements of the first trip to the moon. It includes archival illustrations and diagrams of locations, personnel, and equipment, from aerial views of sandy, undeveloped Cape Canaveral to some of the first photos of the mobile launchers and crawler-transporters. Filled with the sense of wonder and pride that the earliest U.S. space achievements inspired, the book focuses on some of the most impressive buildings ever constructed, including launch complexes 39A and 39B, the gigantic assemblies from which the Apollo-Saturn vehicles departed for trips into space; the massive eight-acre Vertical Assembly Building (renamed the Vehicle Assembly Building); and the attached Launch Control Center. It also analyzes the technological and governmental interactions necessary to ensure success of the launches. Originally part of Moonport , one of the volumes of the NASA History Series, this volume is based on extensive interviews with participants in the space program and wide access to official documents, letters, and memoranda. The authors air criticisms directed at the Kennedy Space Center team and address mistakes in launch operations and conflicts within the program. Gateway to the Moon offers a faithful account of technology in service to humanity.

Genres: Space, History, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 2001

Reviews

[Lisa Buchner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the concept- didn’t love the book.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This half of the original NASA publication Moonport: A History of Apollo Launch Facilities and Operations is the facilities half. I love this book for the detailed accounts of the construction of the three Saturn Apollo launch complexes on the Cape and Merritt Island, LC-34, LC-37, and LC-39. Is it dry and dense? Yes, but I can forgive that because it gives me information that you don't see anywhere else.

[Steve Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of historical and technical information on the establishment of the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex, but not quite as much in depth discussion regarding the actual building of the complex. At least not from the perspective of a construction project manager. Still a very interesting read.