A NASA insider tells the exciting story of robotic space missions to
explore the solar system. Exploring the planets has been a goal of
America's space program since the dawn of the space race. This insider's
perspective examines incredible missions of robotic spacecraft to every
corner of our solar system and beyond. Some were flown into glory, while
others were planned and relegated to dusty filing cabinets. All were
remarkable in their aspirations. Award-winning science writer Rod Pyle
profiles both the remarkable spacecraft and the amazing scientists and
engineers who made them possible. From the earliest sprints past Venus
and Mars to Voyager1's current explorations of the space between the
stars, this exciting book sheds new light on ever-more ambitious
journeys designed to increase the human reach into the solar system.
Drawing on his perspective as a writer for NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, ground zero for NASA's planetary exploration, the author
further details plans now in development to look for signs of life on
Jupiter's moon Europa, submarines that will dive into the hazy
hydrocarbon lakes of Saturn's moon Titan, and intelligent spacecraft
that will operate for months without human intervention on Mars and in
the outer solar system well into the 2030s. Equally compelling are
programs of exploration that were considered but never left the drawing
board, such as automobile-sized biology laboratories designed for a Mars
landing in the 1960s and plans to detonate atomic bombs on the moon.
Complemented by many rarely-seen photos and illustrations, these stories
of incredible engineering achievements, daring imaginations, and
technological genius will fascinate and inspire.
