You've
always been a space cadet at heart? So have I. My Dad took me out to see
Sputnik glint in the night sky, and the rest is history. I still have my 5th
grade report that stated I planned to work for NASA when I grew up. Well, that
childhood dream has been largely fulfilled through the work on NASA programs
like Kepler, Astrobiology and SOFIA. For me, it all started with the space
race.
Early on, every space launch made the front page of the
newspaper and the evening news. We watched Russia and the US launch dogs,
monkeys, insects, chimps and, ultimately, men up into space. The Russians were
not only the first
to space, but the first to send a woman into space. This was tremendously
exciting. Today, I regret that people have become accustomed to humans going
into space, and that the launches are relegated to the inside pages of the
newspaper. The repair of "the
people's telescope," which restored and improved Hubble, did make the news,
and excited many folks around the world. But, like many people, I don't
remember each and every piece of space history and lore. And, I'm delighted to
have a new book in my personal library that brings together a brief history of
space exploration under one cover.
"Space Exploration for Dummies"
is the latest addition to the yellow-covered "Dummies" series. Researched and
penned by Dr. Cynthia Phillips, planetary geologist at the SETI Institute, and
her partner, Shana Priwer, professional writer, this book captures the
essential facts and accomplishments of the real space cadets.
The book
invites browsing. While organized into logical chapters, readers are urged to
jump straight to the topic of greatest interest. In case you're a novice
astronomer, there's a quick light-hearted primer on basic astronomy. Then, it's
on to rocket science. Phillips and Priwer have a light touch, and write for the
non-rocket scientist. This is rocketry that your grandparents could understand.
Rockets carry up payloads, and often astronauts. So you want to be an
astronaut? Turn to chapter 4 to learn about your ride. But, all you would-be astronauts,
go on to read chapter 5 about space tragedies before consulting your life
insurance agent. Like 15th century exploration of the Earth, space
exploration is dangerous. People do die trying, and the history of the
tragedies is both thoughtful and sobering. It honors the people who made the
ultimate sacrifice in our journey to the stars.
Back to
1957: Sputnik was the first human-made satellite to orbit Earth. It was amazing
to me, and still is. Over several chapters, "Space Exploration" breezes through
the early days of the space race and on to Apollo, Soyuz, Mir and the Space
Station. It's useful to have all of this brought together succinctly: many
missions and many astronauts at my fingertips. I especially appreciated the
inclusion of the 13 women who worked to become astronauts in 1960, but were
excluded by NASA for lack of Air Force pilot training (something they, as
women, could not obtain at the time, p. 99.) Sally Ride was the first
U.S. female astronaut in space 23 years later. Times do change.
Robots and
remotely operated space telescopes are essential human tools for space
exploration. The authors devote chapters to robotic exploration of the Moon,
the first grand tours of the solar system in the 70's and 80's, and the newer
explorers of our universe including space telescopes like Hubble. We're in the
midst of this exciting journey, and Phillips and Priwer scan forward to the
missions in planning and missions in dream stages. Finally for all the SETI
fans, there a chapter on looking for life beyond Earth in our solar system and
around distant stars. "Dummies" are known for humor, and this book closes with
"tens," a nice homage to David Letterman: 10 places to look for life, 10 ways
that space travel isn't like the movies, and 10 everyday things brought to you
by NASA (not Tang!). So, space cadets, teachers, kids and interested people,
you'll find "Space Exploration for Dummies" a fun read and handy reference.
For an
autographed copy of "Space Exploration for Dummies," consider joining TeamSETI or upgrading your
membership.
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