posted 10-28-2016 11:24 AM               

The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest man-made structure to orbit Earth and has been conducting research for close to a decade and a half. Yet it is only the latest in a long line of space stations and laboratories that have flown in orbit since the early 1970s. The histories of these earlier programs have been all but forgotten as the public focused on other, higher-profile adventures such as the Apollo moon landings.

A vast trove of stories filled with excitement, danger, humor, sadness, failure, and success, Outposts on the Frontier reveals how the Soviets and the Americans combined strengths to build space stations over the past fifty years. At the heart of these scientific advances are people of both greatness and modesty. Jay Chladek documents the historical tapestry of the people, the early attempts at space station programs, and how astronauts and engineers have contributed to and shaped the ISS in surprising ways.

Outposts on the Frontier delves into the intriguing stories behind the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory, the Almaz and Salyut programs, Skylab, the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, Spacelab, Mir station, Spacehab, and the ISS, and gives past-due attention to Vladimir Chelomei, the Russian designer whose influence in space station development is as significant as Sergei Korolev's in rocketry.

Outposts on the Frontier is an informative and dynamic history of humankind's first outposts on the frontier of space.

• Hardcover: 528 pages
  
• University of Nebraska Press (August 1, 2017)
  
• ISBN-10: 0803222920
  
• ISBN-13: 978-0803222922

posted 06-30-2017 04:20 AM               

It is a very interesting experience seeing this big shiny thing sitting on a shelf. At one point you are excited to see it. But at the same time you wonder "did I really write that?" It seems almost like a dream.

I wish I could tell you what my next project will be, but it is in such an embryonic state right now that I don't want to spoil the surprise. Let me just say that it is something aerospace related that influenced me going back to my earliest memories.

In any event, pick up a copy of the book if you can. Amazon, B&N and other places have it. One nice bonus is it is very easy to search for as the title "Outposts on the Frontier" is unique and usually pops up proper listings right at the beginning of a Google search. That is one reason why I selected it.