Author
|
Topic: Last NASA Pilot Astronauts (Burgess, Shayler)
|
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
|
posted 11-11-2016 04:28 AM
NASA's Pilot Astronaut Groups of the Late 1960s: Expanding the Space Frontier By Colin Burgess and David J. Shayler, In this latest Pioneers in Early Spaceflight book, the astronaut NASA selections of the late 1960s evolved from two very different requirements. The first by NASA was to prepare crewmembers for an expected increase in flights after the first lunar landings, and the second was by the USAF to prepare crewmembers for a proposed military space station. Though both requirements were to change by the late 1960s, both selections were to provide key support and direct involvement during the transition from Apollo to shuttle and in leading managerial positions during the 1990s. These selections, as a group, have been overlooked in accounts of early space explorer involvement in pioneering programs of the first 50 years of human spaceflight exploration. This book addresses that oversight and presents an informative and in-depth account of their involvement in the space program. The background explains why these men were selected at a time of significant change at both NASA and the USAF. By blending both the NASA selection in 1966 and the three MOL groups and their transition to NASA in 1969 it is possible to get perspective on these changes as well as provide a comparison with the Soviet program, which after losing the Moon landing opted for space station development of a scientific and military nature. The findings are supported with research and interviews by both authors over many years, as well as with NASA original documentation. Contemporary accounts and first-hand interviews with many of the participants offers a fresh and unique approach to recording the 30-year story of these astronauts and how their involvement extended from the pioneering years of Gemini to the forward-looking creation of the International Space Station. This book offers a completion to the story of the first American astronaut selections, complementing not only the books on the first three NASA groups by Colin Burgess but also the book on the two scientist astronaut group selections by both authors, and other titles in the Praxis/Springer space library. - Softcover, 390 pages
- Springer, May 5, 2017
- ISBN: 978-3-319-51012-5
|
ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
|
posted 11-11-2016 04:33 AM
There's been a recent change of title. It will now be "The Last of NASA's Original Pilot Astronauts: Expanding the Space Frontier in the Late Sixties."Dave Shayler and I expect the manuscript to go for copyediting in the next 2-3 weeks. |
onesmallstep Member Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 11-11-2016 09:36 AM
Looking forward to it! I already have the title on selecting the Mercury Seven and the one on the scientist/astronauts. |
nelyubov Member Posts: 131 From: USA Registered: Sep 2003
|
posted 11-11-2016 10:15 AM
Really looking forward to this book. I already have Mr. Shayler's other book on order for next year and waiting to purchase his book on space stations. Looks like a banner year for him with three books coming out. |
Dave Shayler Member Posts: 127 From: Halesowen, West Mids, UK Registered: Dec 2009
|
posted 11-16-2016 01:50 AM
In addition to this book with Colin and the two Space Station titles, there are a couple of other projects planned for 2017. As they draw closer to publication the details will appear on these pages and on the AIS website. |
albatron Member Posts: 2732 From: Stuart, Florida Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 11-16-2016 10:26 AM
Thanks Colin - so cannot wait to read it. You know my heart. |
Dave Shayler Member Posts: 127 From: Halesowen, West Mids, UK Registered: Dec 2009
|
posted 05-04-2017 09:05 AM
The book is now being prepared for publication. According to the latest information, this is planned for mid-June. A dual Foreword has been provided by Fred Haise and Bob Crippen with an Afterword by Vance Brand. See the links below: This was great fun to put together, gathering the information to tell their story along with help from members of both groups. This completes the series of Springer books by both authors on the first decade of NASA astronaut selections. We hope fellow collectSPACE members enjoy the results. |
Dave Shayler Member Posts: 127 From: Halesowen, West Mids, UK Registered: Dec 2009
|
posted 07-06-2017 04:45 AM
The book has now been produced and should on the shelves shortly. The official publication date is July 18. |
Kite Member Posts: 831 From: Northampton UK Registered: Nov 2009
|
posted 12-09-2017 03:51 PM
Bought this from Dave Shayler himself at the Jerry Bostick talk at Pelsall and only just recently got around to reading it. Very good and goes well with the other books on the early American groups of astronauts produced. Superbly researched and written by Dave and Colin Burgess as always and so much information. Wonderful to read more in particular on the seven MOL guys which have been a bit more obscure than the other groups, and the unsuccessful applicants of both as well which makes fascinating reading. Most of them too went on to have brilliant careers. Highly recommended to any space enthusiasts library. Thanks again to Dave and Colin and how fortunate we are on cS to have them both as members. |
Dave Shayler Member Posts: 127 From: Halesowen, West Mids, UK Registered: Dec 2009
|
posted 12-13-2017 06:11 AM
Thanks, Kite, for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the book.With the publication of this title, Colin and myself have recorded all 7 NASA and 3 USAF MOL selections in the pioneering years of American human spaceflight (1959 through 1969). In addition, with the help of colleagues, we have been fortunate to share the names and backgrounds, where possible, of all the shortlisted candidates in those final selections. ...and we both thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. |