The Wright Stuff: The Century of Effort Behind Your Ticket to Space

Apogee Books Space Series #86

by Derek Webber, Buzz Aldrin (Foreword)

Recounted through a well-selected collection of photographs, this discussion relates a succession of advancements and risk taking, chronicling the evolution of space tourism. Traveling back to the almost simultaneous beginnings of aviation and rocketry, this analysis highlights the crucial names in the industry, honoring them with “The Wright Stuff” awards for their contributions. Illustrating how today’s tickets to space have been made possible not just by entrepreneurs and engineers but also by the efforts of artists, regulators, politicians, and some of the earliest aviators, this exploration also touches on today’s rapid expansion phase of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space flights. Clearly depicting how a commercial business can emerge in this swiftly growing field, this unique investigation also provides examples of how space tourists are helping to create reusable technologies of benefit to all.

168 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010