Smithsonian Spaceflight: The Complete Story, from Sputnik to Curiosity

Compiled in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing by science writer Sparrow (Universe), this illustrated history of interstellar exploration is rich in detail and full of incredible imagery. The book moves chronologically, starting with rockets used in 11th-century China and ending with the commercial revolution of atmospheric travel funded by the likes of entrepreneur Elon Musk. The colorful two-page mini-chapters include historical summaries, diagrams of equipment, and archival photographs. NASA buffs will appreciate detailed timelines of missions such as Apollo 13, as well as descriptions of lesser-known conceptual winged prototypes that would eventually lead to the birth of the Space Shuttle. The race between Russia and the U.S. is chronicled thoroughly, from the launch of Sputnik in 1957 to the eventual cooperation on the International Space Station in 1992. Aerospace enthusiasts will love the depth of information, though casual readers may be lost when Sparrow veers into academic writing about topics including Germany’s pre-WWII rocket inventions. Technical diagrams reveal fascinating factoids (the Mercury capsule was only 1.89m in diameter, for instance) and epic photography captures the magnificence of the stars. This volume serves as an inspiring ode to scientific progress and a humble reminder of how much more of the galaxy there is to explore. [em](Apr.) [/em]