The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future By Roger D. Launius

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The first in-depth, fully illustrated history of global space discovery and exploration from ancient times to the modern era

The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration is a comprehensive history of international space exploration paired with photographs, illustrations, graphics, and sidebars on key scientific and technological developments, influential figures, and pioneering spacecraft. Former NASA and Smithsonian space curator and historian Roger D. Launius presents human's endeavors to understand the universe, honoring millennia of human curiosity, ingenuity, and achievement.

The book examines space exploration's origins in the pioneering work undertaken by the ancients of Greece, Rome, and China, and moves through the great discoveries of Renaissance thinkers including Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler. It offers new insight into well-known moments such as the launch of Sputnik 1 and the Apollo Moon landing and explores the unexpected events and hidden figures of space history.

Presenting the technological and mechanical breakthroughs enabling humans to explore far beyond our own planet in recent decades, it also speculates on the future of space exploration, including space tourism and our possible future as an extraterrestrial species. This is a must-read for space buffs and everyone intrigued by the history and future of scientific discovery. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future

This book was a blast to read. I have recently been really into learning about space, and this book gave a perfect, condensed history of humanities explorations into space without being overwhelming. The book didn't get bogged down by hard to understand concepts. It was easily digestible and informative. I would recommend this to people just starting to learn about space to get a real understanding of the specific parts of space your interested in. I will say, this is definitely more of a history book than a science book. You do get some basic science explanations throughout, but I felt like I learned more about rocket science and less about astrophysics and astronomy. Otherwise, it was a fun, easy read. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future Best read of the year. Maybe of the last 3 years.
If you're interested in space exploration, this is a must read. It has everything, starting from caveman looking up at the stars in wonder up to probes reaching Pluto.
If I really have to split hair, it is maybe a little too NASA-centered, but that was to be expected. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future -The only things I can remember from 8th grade science class is about the Mars rovers, solar flares, and that time Nick thought I ate that dead fly on the windowsill.
-We're putting asterisks in equations now?
-We may have to reach an international agreement on building stuff on the moon. I can see it now: the US wants to put a McDonald's, Canada interjects with TIM HORTONS. Either way the moon will probably get a Tim Hortons before my town does. *sigh*
-The moon may become a base camp. It's like your layover on the way to Mars. I bet they won't have to take off their shoes to get through security...

I LOVE SPAAAAAAAAAAACE. It's both fascinating and terrifying which is exactly how I hope people describe me when I'm dead. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future It isn't perfect by any means, but I think it sort of flawlessly executes on what it wants to be. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future An amazing coffee-table book that goes in depth telling the full history of space exploration, not leaving out the achievement of the Soviets and other pioneers. The print, photo quality and writing is top-notch with an unbeatable price. Just fantastic. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future

A very thorough history of WORLD space flight. Unmanned, manned, Soviet, USA, space shuttle, ISS, and beyond. Very comprehensive look at space travel and rocketry. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future La luuuuuna, i saasssi, le luucii The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future Examining man’s continued desire to explore the next frontier in the Smithsonian’s own unique way, this book takes readers from its earliest history to the edge of tomorrow.

This comprehensive look at space exploration, accompanied by charts, illustrations, and photographs, examines the history of spaceflight, the dawning of the space age, and the race to the moon. It looks at international space exploration, shines a spotlight on both manned and unmanned missions, and offers a list for suggested further reading.

Here readers will find an in-depth history of global space discovery and exploration from the time of man’s earliest speculations to transterrestrial expectations. In these pages, readers will discover the story of the dream becoming reality even as they ponder the future waiting for mankind to bring it into existence.

Highly recommended.
The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future Somewhat of the best books I have ever read. The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future Extremely well laid-out book. Too many recent books with lots of pictures splash the pictures as an art collection. This book has an extremely smart layout of the pictures integrating their use with the text. About 400 pages. NASA doesn't arrive til ~ page 100. By ~300, they are on to Mars. Very appropriate amount of text per subject area. I did not fully read this book - lots of text. I have only skimmed some of the topics. But I was very impressed. I like books I can learn from, and this book is loaded. The information on the early V-2 was enlightening. I liked the recent examination of the edge of our solar system via Voyagers and New Horizon. Concludes with serious thoughts for the future. A couple pages of 'further reading' highlighted at the end points to more excellent book/resources on space exploration. (I already see a few of my favorites here). The Smithsonian History of Space Exploration: From the Ancient World to the Extraterrestrial Future