Williamson M. Spacecraft Technology: The Early Years

The Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2008. 388 p. — ISBN: 0863415539This book charts the early Space Age, spanning from the launch of Sputinik 1 in 1957 to the landing of men on the Moon. This period of technological development is one of the most important in the history of mankind - a period in which we learned how to leave our home planet and explore another, entirely separate, planetary body. This book is a celebration of the importance of that early technology in shaping our global culture, from the globalizing effect of the communications satellite to the cultural impact of images that place our planet in the context of a wider universe. It is aimed at all those with an interest in the history of space activity and the development of modern technology.ForewordAcknowledgements
A prologue to the Space Age
Highway to space – the development of the space launch vehicle
Looking at space – the development of the space science satellite
Looking at Earth – the development of the Earth observation satellite
Keeping in touch – the development of the communications satellite
Probing the Moon – the development of the lunar science spacecraft
Man in space – the development of the manned capsule
First and only moonship – the development of the Apollo Command and Service Module
Lunar lander – the development of the Apollo Lunar Module
Electric moon car – the development of the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle
An epilogue to the space race