Discussion
I'm currently reading Michael Collins book "Carrying the fire" and really enjoying it. I understand Jean Cernan's "Last man on the moon" is supposed to be good, so plan to read that next. I believe the film of it may be on Netflix too.
However I've realise that I know absolutely nothing about the NASA space programme between Apollo and the Shuttle apart from the fact that Skylab came down over Australia in the last 70's. Any book recommendations?
However I've realise that I know absolutely nothing about the NASA space programme between Apollo and the Shuttle apart from the fact that Skylab came down over Australia in the last 70's. Any book recommendations?
There aren't too many books on Skylab or the Apollo-Soyuz joint mission. There were the only two programmes that NASA conducted between the end of the lunar landing missions and the first Shuttle flight. I only have one Skylab book which I bought decades ago.
It's called "A House in Space" and was written by Henry S F Cooper -
It was originally published in 1976 so is getting on a bit now.
Apollo-Soyuz is hard to find stuff on.
Deke Slayton's autobiography called "Deke" (funilly enough) covers this to some extent. But this is the only book that has it as its main theme -
The Haynes books on Apollo and Soyuz cover some of the tecchie aspects of Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz.
So does this book but its well out of print now -
I still have my copy that I bought in 1979.
It's called "A House in Space" and was written by Henry S F Cooper -
It was originally published in 1976 so is getting on a bit now.
Apollo-Soyuz is hard to find stuff on.
Deke Slayton's autobiography called "Deke" (funilly enough) covers this to some extent. But this is the only book that has it as its main theme -
The Haynes books on Apollo and Soyuz cover some of the tecchie aspects of Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz.
So does this book but its well out of print now -
I still have my copy that I bought in 1979.
One advantage Skylab had is internal volume.
They had a lot more room in the Skylab workshop than in any one of the ISS modules. The diameter of the Skylab module was effectively the diameter of the Saturn IVB upper stage.
The diameter of the ISS modules was dictated by the maximum size that could be fitted in a Space Shuttle cargo bay.
Skylab Workshop -
ISS Module -
They had a lot more room in the Skylab workshop than in any one of the ISS modules. The diameter of the Skylab module was effectively the diameter of the Saturn IVB upper stage.
The diameter of the ISS modules was dictated by the maximum size that could be fitted in a Space Shuttle cargo bay.
Skylab Workshop -
ISS Module -
Eric Mc said:
There aren't too many books on Skylab or the Apollo-Soyuz joint mission. There were the only two programmes that NASA conducted between the end of the lunar landing missions and the first Shuttle flight. I only have one Skylab book which I bought decades ago.
It's called "A House in Space" and was written by Henry S F Cooper -
Found a copy on ebay for £13.49 inc postage. May get that. It's called "A House in Space" and was written by Henry S F Cooper -
I need to read Jean Cernan's one first anyway so plenty of time to trawl e-bay, Cernans appears to be available on kindle so might just accept not having the photos for convenience of buying. His name is Gene (rather than Jean).
There was also a Skylab 2 built. Unfortunately, it was never launched (due to budget cuts) and is now the Skylab Exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum Washington DC.
You can see what the Saturn V was capable of as a "workhorse" rocket. It took almost 100 launchings of various sorts to build the ISS (some Shuttle, some Soyuz, some Proton). They could have built an even bigger ISS with just a handful of Saturn V launches.
It was a great piece of kit and it was almost criminal that the capability was just chucked away. The new SLS is an attempt to restore that capability - half a century later.
There was also a Skylab 2 built. Unfortunately, it was never launched (due to budget cuts) and is now the Skylab Exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum Washington DC.
You can see what the Saturn V was capable of as a "workhorse" rocket. It took almost 100 launchings of various sorts to build the ISS (some Shuttle, some Soyuz, some Proton). They could have built an even bigger ISS with just a handful of Saturn V launches.
It was a great piece of kit and it was almost criminal that the capability was just chucked away. The new SLS is an attempt to restore that capability - half a century later.
Eric Mc said:
His name is Gene (rather than Jean).
Oops.Finished Carrying the Fire the other night, very enjoyable read. When checking on the Kindle store for Cernan's book I noticed you can also buy the official NASA Apollo 17 debrief, not sure if that would be really interesting or too technical to understand.
If you don't mind not having the physical book, NASA have a selection of eBooks to download for free
https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/index.html
https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/index.html
One of my favourite NASA publications is this one -
I have an original copy of this, much read. It is also available to read on line -
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-350/toc.html
I have an original copy of this, much read. It is also available to read on line -
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-350/toc.html
Eric Mc said:
There aren't too many books on Skylab or the Apollo-Soyuz joint mission. There were the only two programmes that NASA conducted between the end of the lunar landing missions and the first Shuttle flight. I only have one Skylab book which I bought decades ago.
It's called "A House in Space" and was written by Henry S F Cooper -
It was originally published in 1976 so is getting on a bit now.
My copy of this arrived on the doorstep yesterday. Looks well thumbed around the edges, but is perfectly fine inside.It's called "A House in Space" and was written by Henry S F Cooper -
It was originally published in 1976 so is getting on a bit now.
Had a quick read of some bits last night; very interesting. Also noted that my copy was printed in 1977. Two years before I was born and two years before Skylab fell back to earth.
I have quite a few Space Books, mainly about Apollo.
Best ones? Certainly "Carrying the Fire" as previously mentioned, but also "Rocketman" (Pete Conrad, Apollo 12) and "All American Boys" (Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7) are of note.
Andrew Chaikin's "A Man on the Moon" is superb, as is Andrew Smith's "Moondust".
Probably the most disappointing read is "Forever Young" (John Young of various missions). An absolute legend but his book isn't that great.
"Lost Moon" is an essential read too.
Best ones? Certainly "Carrying the Fire" as previously mentioned, but also "Rocketman" (Pete Conrad, Apollo 12) and "All American Boys" (Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7) are of note.
Andrew Chaikin's "A Man on the Moon" is superb, as is Andrew Smith's "Moondust".
Probably the most disappointing read is "Forever Young" (John Young of various missions). An absolute legend but his book isn't that great.
"Lost Moon" is an essential read too.
Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff