As the United States and the Soviet Union went from exploring space to living in it, a space station was conceived as the logical successor to the Apollo moon program. But between conception and execution stood the vastness of space itself, to say nothing of the monumental technological challenges. Homesteading Space, by two of Skylab’s own astronauts and a NASA journalist, tells the dramatic story of America’s first space station from beginning to fiery end.   Homesteading Space is much more than a story of technological and scientific success; it is also an absorbing, sometimes humorous, often inspiring account of the determined, hardworking individuals who shepherded the program through a near-disastrous launch, a heroic rescue, an exhausting study of Comet Kohoutek, and the lab's ultimate descent into the Indian Ocean. Featuring the unpublished in-flight diary of astronaut Alan Bean, the book is replete with the personal recollections and experiences of the Skylab crew and those who worked with them in training, during the mission, and in bringing them safely home.   Purchase the audio edition.

After the Apollo program put twelve men on the moon and safely brought them home, anything seemed possible. In this spirit, the team at NASA set about developing the Space Shuttle, arguably the most complex piece of machinery ever created. The world's first reusable spacecraft, it launched like a rocket, landed like a glider, and carried out complicated missions in between. Bold They Rise tells the story of the Space Shuttle through the personal experiences of the astronauts, engineers, and scientists who made it happen--in space and on the ground, from the days of research and design through the heroic accomplishments of the program to the tragic last minutes of the Challenger disaster. In the participants' own voices, we learn what so few are privy to: what it was like to create a new form of spacecraft, to risk one's life testing that craft, to float freely in the vacuum of space as a one-man satellite, to witness a friend's death. A guided tour of the Shuttle--in historical, scientific, and personal terms--this book provides a fascinating, richly informed, and deeply personal view of a feat without parallel in the human story.

After the Apollo program put twelve men on the moon and safely brought them home, anything seemed possible. In this spirit, the team at NASA set about developing the Space Shuttle, arguably the most complex piece of machinery ever created. The world's first reusable spacecraft, it launched like a rocket, landed like a glider, and carried out complicated missions in between. Bold They Rise tells the story of the Space Shuttle through the personal experiences of the astronauts, engineers, and scientists who made it happen-in space and on the ground, from the days of research and design through the heroic accomplishments of the program to the tragic last minutes of the Challenger disaster. In the participants' own voices, we learn what so few are privy to: what it was like to create a new form of spacecraft, to risk one's life testing that craft, to float freely in the vacuum of space as a one-man satellite, to witness a friend's death. A guided tour of the shuttle in historical, scientific, and personal terms, this book provides a fascinating, richly informed, and deeply personal view of a feat without parallel in the human story.

Adventurous walking tastes are as varied as Devon's many landscapes. There's always something special to explore from spectacular coastlines and wild moors to pretty villages and tranquil river valleys. Walk! Devon delivers walking experiences of the highest quality. Its amazing geological history has created a multi-faceted landscape ranging from rough uncut cliff faces to polished sun kissed sands, crystal clear waters and smooth rounded hills; even the luminous Devon air adds clarity and sparkle to the brillance of the landscape. Walk! Devon includes 40 fully detailed walk descriptions, plus short walk alternatives, including OS maps and colour photos by the authors of Walk! Dartmoor and Walk! Exmoor. All walking routes include:- - walking route summary. - ratings for Effort, Time, Distance, Ascents/Descents, Refreshments and Vertigo Risk. - fully detailed walk description including frequent timings to aid navigation and check your progress. - GPS Waypoints at every key point on every route. - full colour map of the route licenced from OS. - short walk and stroll alternatives. Full GPS Track and Waypoint files for Walk! Devon are included on the Personal Navigator Files CD published by Discovery Walking Guides.