The Secret of Apollo: Systems Management in American and European Space Programs (New Series in NASA History)

Annotation How does one go about organizing something as complicated as a strategic-missile or space-exploration program? Stephen B. Johnson here explores the answer -- systems management -- in a groundbreaking study that involves Air Force planners, scientists, technical specialists, and, eventually, bureaucrats. Taking a comparative approach, Johnson focuses on the theory, or intellectual history, of "systems engineering" as such, its origins in the Air Force's Cold War ICBM efforts, and its migration to not only NASA but the European Space Agency. Exploring the history and politics of aerospace development and weapons procurement, Johnson examines how scientists and engineers created the systems management process to coordinate large-scale technology development, and how managers and military officers gained control of that process. "Those funding the race demanded results," Johnson explains. "In response, development organizations created what few expected and what even fewer wanted -- a bureaucracy for innovation. To begin to understand this apparent contradiction in terms, we must first understand the exacting nature of space technologies and the concerns of those who create them." Winner of the Emme Award for Astronautical Literature from the American Astronautical SocietyHow does one go about organizing something as complicated as a strategic-missile or space-exploration program? Stephen B. Johnson here explores the answer—systems management—in a groundbreaking study that involves Air Force planners, scientists, technical specialists, and, eventually, bureaucrats. Taking a comparative approach, Johnson focuses on the theory, or intellectual history, of'systems engineering'as such, its origins in the Air Force's Cold War ICBM efforts, and its migration to not only NASA but the European Space Agency.Exploring the history and politics of aerospace development and weapons procurement, Johnson examines how scientists and engineers created the systems management process to coordinate large-scale technology development, and how managers and military officers gained control of that process.'Those funding the race demanded results,'Johnson explains.'In response, development organizations created what few expected and what even fewer wanted—a bureaucracy for innovation. To begin to understand this apparent contradiction in terms, we must first understand the exacting nature of space technologies and the concerns of those who create them.' Contents Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgments Abbreviations and Acronyms Introduction: Management and the Control of Research and Development Chapter 1 - Social and Technical Issues of Spaceflight Chapter 2 - Creating Concurrency Chapter 3 - From Concurrency to Systems Management Chapter 4 - JPL’s Journey from Missiles to Space Chapter 5 - Organizing the Manned Space Program Chapter 6 - Organizing ELDO for Failure Chapter 7 - ESRO’s American Bridge across the Management Gap Chapter 8 - Coordination and Control of High-Tech Research and Development Notes Essay on Sources Index July 1969 marked two events in humanity's exploration of space.