An early Space Shuttle concept that used short, straight wings, rather than the delta-wing approach eventually adopted. (credit: NASA)
In the early 1950’s German rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun wrote a series of amazing articles forCollier’s magazine to popularize the notion of human space travel. The stunning illustrations for these pieces tried to predict what mankind’s future in space might be like. Some pictures showed a beautiful winged space plane ferrying people up to and back down from earth orbit. The rocket plane had large, long wings and was far sleeker and more beautiful than our present Space Shuttle orbiter.
Once more, with feelings
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On Friday the shuttle Atlantis lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center, beginning the final mission of the Space Shuttle program. Jeff Foust reports on the weather and technical issues that nearly delayed the launch and the outpouring of emotions about the end of such a storied program.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1882/1
Space Shuttle 2.0: What did we learn?
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As the Space Shuttle program winds down, what lessons from it can we carry forward to future programs? Dana Andrews argues that although it failed to achieve it, NASA was right to pursue a vehicle with high flight rates that can ultimately lower the cost of space access.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1881/1
Wings in space
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The Space Shuttle's design, including its delta wings, has become iconic, but it's not the only way a spaceplane can be built. James McLane describes his cameo role in the development of an alternative design 40 years ago.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1880/1
The Space Shuttle and the dreams of a ten-year-old
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The origins of the Space Shuttle program date back four decades, and at the beginning were a source of inspiration for many young people wondering what was next after Apollo. Drew LePage recalls those memories after finding a vintage newspaper article about the shuttle.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1879/1
Tinker, Tailor, NASA, Spy
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Yet another television show with an inaccurate portrayal of NASA and space operations? Dwayne Day reviews a recent episode of a USA Network drama that offers another example of how NASA and the CIA are portrayed in popular culture.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1878/1
If you missed it, here's what we published in our previous issue:
Human spaceflight, and the reason for (almost) being there
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When is it appropriate to send humans to other worlds versus sending robotic probes? Dan Lester argues a key factor in future human spaceflight may be the degree of latency needed to successfully perform telerobotics.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1877/1
The mission of the final shuttle mission
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Attention is focused on the Kennedy Space Center this week for the launch of Atlantis on the final mission of the Space Shuttle program. Jeff Foust reports on one largely overlooked factor in this surge of attention: the mission itself.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1876/1
A father of national reconnaissance, Robert Salter
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A little-known pioneer of reconnaissance satellites passed way in May. Dwayne Day examines the life of Robert Salter and the contributions he made in the early history of American reconnaissance satellite efforts.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1875/1
Reviews: Revisiting the Moon and Mars
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Advocates of human exploration of Mars and the Moon find themselves having to continually state and restate their arguments. Jeff Foust reviews a new edition of a classic book advocating Mars exploration and a new book reprinting blog posts from a leading lunar advocate.
http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1874/1
Until next week,
Provided by The Space Review
