Preludes to U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology: Goddard's Rockets to Minuteman III

For nearly fifty years, a wide range of missiles and rockets has propelled U.S. satellites and spacecraft into the sky. J. D. Hunley's two-volume work traces the evolution of this technology, from Robert Goddard's research in the 1920s through the development of the Titan missiles and launch vehicles in the 1960s to the refinement of the space shuttle in the 1980s. With the first book devoted primarily to military hardware and the second to launch vehicle hardware, Hunley offers a sweeping overview of these impressive engineering innovations as well as insights into the dynamic personalities responsible for them. Together, the two volumes offer a unique, invaluable history of rocketry that should appeal to a wide range of scholars and space buffs.

For nearly fifty years, a wide range of missiles and rockets has propelled U.S. satellites and spacecraft into the sky. Beginning with this book and concluding with U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology: Viking to Space Shuttle, J. D. Hunley's two-volume work traces the evolution of this technology, from Robert Goddard's early research through the development of the Titan missiles and launch vehicles to the refinement of the space shuttle.

Preludes to U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology is devoted primarily to military hardware and traces the evolution of missile technology from the 1920s through the 1970s, when the Minuteman III became operational. Hunley discusses individual innovations, technology transfer, management systems, and the organizations that were involved in the research and development of a wide range of rockets and missiles, including the German V-2, Redstone, Atlas, Thor, Jupiter, Titan I and II, and Polaris. He also humanizes the subject through numerous anecdotes and sketches of such fascinating individuals as Robert H. Goddard, Wernher von Braun, Bernard Schriever, and Red Raborn, among others.

These two volumes constitute a unique, invaluable history of rocketry that highlights the creativity, hard work, and trial-and-error that make up the history of rocket science.

About the Author:
J. D. Hunley working as a historian for the United States Air Force and NASA during his lengthy career, Hunley has also taught at Allegheny College and served as a Ramsey Fellow at the National Air and Space Museum

"For nearly fifty years, a wide range of missiles and rockets has propelled U.S. satellites and spacecraft into the sky. Beginning with this book and concluding with U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology: Viking to Space Shuttle, J.D. Hunley's two volume work traces the evolution of this technology, from Robert Goddard's early research through the development of the Titan missiles and launch vehicles to the refinement of the space shuttle." "Preludes to U.S. Space-Launch Vehicle Technology is devoted primarily to military hardware and traces the evolution of missile technology from the 1920s through the 1970s, when the Minuteman III became operational. Hunley discusses individual innovations, technology transfer, management systems, and the organizations that were involved in the research and development of a wide range of rockets and missiles, including the German V-2, Redstone, Atlas, Thor, Jupiter, Titan I and II, and Polaris. He also humanizes the subject through numerous anecdotes and sketches of such fascinating individuals as Robert H. Goddard, Werner von Braun, Bernard Schriever, and "Red" Raborn, among others."--Jacket