Category: Book Reviews

This hack book can be taken two ways. One is as a reference to look up solutions to problems or seek a reference for a better method. Two is as a complete back grounder for the beginner and higher level amateur astronomer. Within it are 65 distinct hacks grouped into four chapters; Getting Started, Observing Hacks, Scope Hacks and Accessory Hacks. No embellishments obscure the text. There are only the hacks, each relating to astronomy the same way a Clymers manual refers to motorcycle repairs. No extenuating plots nor complex character development obstructs the wording. This book just lists lots of techniques, hints and recommendations.

The first chapter, Getting Started, has enough detail to guide the beginner or assist the intermediate practitioner. The standard encapsulation of binocular and telescope types ensues. To provide an example of the depth of detail, consider the binocular. The discussion includes; magnification, aperture, exit pupil, eye relief, field of view, interpupilary distance, prism type and lens coatings. A summary list recommends choices for various budget ranges ($75 to $5000) and gives recommendations on certain manufacturers and models.

The telescope selection hack is equally detailed, with descriptions of the three main types; reflector, refractors and catadioptric as well as criteria and recommendations. The authors are admitted fans of Dobsonian telescopes and tend to give more attention to this type both here and elsewhere in the book.

Safety, as its own hack or as a backdrop for many other hacks, appears throughout. Most is for personal safety, whether by staying in groups or not dropping large, heavy mirrors on toes. Perhaps the recommendations to bring a firearm for protection against four legged predators goes a bit far. The repeated references to courtesy for group viewing is just one of the many indicators of the wealth of the author’s experience.

The chapter for observing hacks includes, amongst others, the principles of light, a comprehensive biological description of our eye’s receivers, and a method to running a Messier Marathon. This chapter revolves around the purpose or goals of amateur astronomers. Accepting that these aren’t planning on detecting new stars or planets, the authors clearly convey the simple pleasures of viewing. Whether taking copious notes, simple sketches or photographs, the rewards are many and admittedly differ with each person. Simple hacks to improve style or refine goals, aid in refining the reward.

The scope hacks essentially look at scope maintenance and they can get complex. There are step by step cleaning instructions for a 10 pound mirror, including swishing it under the faucet for minutes. The same goes for collimation, with its consideration of Strehl values and diffraction spikes. But equally, the reasoning and the simple instructions convince and empower the reader to take charge of their viewing capabilties.

The last chapter, Accessories Hacks, is chock full of the little tips to branching out. Eyepieces and filters get a thorough treatment. Light proofing your vehicle or using software to build custom star charts round out the suggestions.

In all, whether as a reference or as an introductory read, this book delivers. The background and justification for the hacks give sufficient information to believe in their value without overtaxing the brain. Neat hints, like keeping red pens away from night sites, help any observer from commiting blunders. The table of contents and index simply and easily guide readers. While sketches, illustrations and photographs clarify many of the sublte points. There’s even a note on the proper pronunciation of Greek letters.

With simple prose copiously sprinkled with personal, humorous anecdotes, the reading is a pleasure. Many references to manufacturers and equipment costs aid in selections today, though they probably won’t stand the test of time. As well, there is very little on astro-photography. The authors simply say that this activity demands much practise and much equipment. Fair enough, but given the upsurge in computer literates, this area cries for more information.

Reading car repair manuals helps fix a car’s problem or learn more about fixing cars in general. The same can be said for Robert and Barbara Thompson’s book, Astronomy Hacks. Each hack includes details, hints and tips to embellish a viewer’s night time activities. Most of all it ably empowers you to take charge of your hobby and make the most of astronomical viewing.

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Review by Mark Mortimer

I’ll declare this right from the start, Simon Singh is one of my favorite science writers. His two previous books, Fermat’s Enigma and The Code Book are excellent. Especially the Code Book, which I was a little nervous to read, but walked away with a very firm understanding of codes and codebreaking through the centuries.

With Big Bang, Singh starts right at the beginning of cosmology, as the ancient Greeks showed a surprising series of leaps of logic about the Solar System. They correctly understood that the Earth is a sphere, and estimated its size. They calculated the distance to the Moon, and even took a stab at guessing the distance to the Sun. Unfortunately, they developed an incorrect view of an Earth-centred Universe, where the Sun, stars and the planets orbit the Earth. As errors developed in their theory, the Earth-centred astronomers just made their model more complex to compensate.

The book goes on to present discoveries in cosmology, one after the other, from the Copernicus Sun-centred view to Edwin Hubble’s discovery that many distant “nebulae” are actually other galaxies, like our Milky Way. Hubble then went on to discover that these distant galaxies are actually speeding away from us. It’s this discovery, that our Universe is expanding, which led to the theory we now call the Big Bang.

The Big Bang is such a profound theory, and it’s even more amazing because it’s embraced by nearly everyone working in cosmology today. Thank the evidence for this. Singh tracks down each piece of evidence supporting the Big Bang: the abundance of hydrogen in the Universe, the discovery that galaxies are speeding away from us, and the cosmic microwave background radiation. He introduces the reader to the cast of characters involved in each discovery, and then leads us through the observations and breakthroughs that formed this piece of evidence. We also meet the challengers and understand their differing, and very valid, viewpoints.

While reading Big Bang, you get the sense the Singh wanted to get across how well supported a theory the Big Bang is. This isn’t some half-baked theory about the Universe; the cosmologists who developed the Big Bang made some dramatic predictions which have turned out to be supported by observation. Some of the most dramatic are the most recent, with the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, which mapped variations in the microwave background radiation with such exquisite detail to help explain variations of matter in the Universe – why there are clumps of matter, like galaxies, planets, and people, and not just a rapidly spreading mist of equally-spaced hydrogen.

As I was reading Big Bang, through, I kept noticing how quickly I was moving through the book, and how slowly the story was progressing. Not that I was bored, but I was amazed at how long it took for discoveries to be presented. Once there was only a sliver remaining, I realized that I had slightly misjudged what the book was going to be about. Singh essentially wraps up with the discovery of the cosmic microwave background radiation by Penzias and Wilson – case closed, that’s the story of the Big Bang.

I follow astronomy and cosmology on a daily basis, and I know the story isn’t over. There are many intriguing discoveries being made all the time, such as dark energy, dark matter, and inflationary cosmology. Singh gives each of these subjects little more than a sentence or two in an epilogue, and this is unfortunate. I would have liked to see him tackle these fascinating subjects with the same care and skill that he handled the rest of the book. Perhaps a sequel Simon?

If you’re interested in astronomy, and want to get a nice overview of the Big Bang, I highly recommend this book by Simon Singh. It’s easy to read and understand, and gives a great overview of the theory, the theorists, and the evidence.

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Review by Fraser Cain

Fred Hoyle climbed through the challenges of Britain during the inter-war years. His diligence to his primary schooling was poor to say the least. Playing hookey was the order of his day. However, fortune smiled on him. Through this and his own effort, he managed to achieve a number of scholarships that kept him advancing until he gained acceptance into Cambridge University. There followed a checkered career as he studied mathematics with special application to nuclear physics. He had a short diversion due to the second world war where he advanced the state of electronic warfare. After, he jumped into the field of astronomy with both feet. During the remainder of his life, Fred Hoyle advanced this field and contributed to many others, often as not, by leading the explorations.

Leading any field is a balancing act between divining the future and keeping up with current events. Here emotion comes to the fore and here is where Mitton concentrates his book. He shows how Fred Hoyle, being in theoretical astronomy, often came to grips with observational astronomers. Further, Mitton builds a feeling that Fred Hoyle was like a kettle constantly steaming. Continual requests for publication were countered by people not understanding, or believing or wanting his views presented. Apparently, during most of his career, Fred Hoyle was at odds with the Royal Astronomical Society even though he was a member for most of his life. As well, Mitton shows how he appears to have used the largess of Cambridge to pursue his own work. In particular, he was a mentor who was seldom present. When he was, he was so caught up in his own theories, he didn’t always give the attention graduate students deserved. The resulting picture is of a vibrant, thoughtful, and analytical mathematician at the top of his game.

Mitton’s biography includes a mix of both personal and technical aspects to Fred Hoyle’s life. We read of Friday lunches in dimly lit rooms little better than cloisters. Further along there are recounts to a remarkable passion for hiking. He achieved the Munro, a climbing of a collection of hills in Scotland over 914 metres. He drove fast cars, enjoyed conferences by the lakes in Northern Italy and championed a telescope in Australia. Mitton relies on Fred Hoyle’s own autobiography as well as many friends and acquaintances to ensure accuracy and detail in the recollections.

On the technical side, Mitton details contribution to radar such as the bending of beams along the curvature of the Earth. Nucleosynthesis, one of the main focuses of Fred Hoyle’s career, gets a detailed and historical recount. Added are accounts of collaborations with experts as well as competitions against others. Mitton presents the information in a smooth, qualitative manner so there is no worry of confusion. All in all, Mitton builds an excellent link between the people, their discoveries and knowledge of the day that is both enjoyable to read and enlightening in its own way.

The interesting mix of personalities and technical information works well. Chapters are loosely divided chronologically. However, as Fred Hoyle had his finger into so many pies, Mitton decided to collect information into subject areas and deal with them chronologically. Due to this, there is a fair amount of jumping around in time throughout the text. This isn’t unduly bothersome but the reader must stay aware. Given the details on radar, advanced cosmology, science fiction novels, movie scripting, and leading an international collaboration on siting and building an observatory, this book is more of an insight into Fred Hoyle’s technical contributions than his personality.

Fred Hoyle’s emotions drove him to advance our understanding of cosmology. His work as a theoretical astronomer and science communicator captured the imaginations of people. Simon Mitton in his biography Conflict in the Cosmos, Fred Hoyle’s Life in Science brings back the life of Fred Hoyle, including the people and some of the technical issues of a person at the top of their game. Emotions are free to everyone, perhaps reading this will entice you on your own search for understanding.

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Review by Mark Mortimer

Glow in the Dark Planets is exactly what you’d expect. In nineteen pages, each planet of our system gets a one or two page spread of neat pictures, funky fonts and many factoids. An early reader would have no problem digesting the information on their own. But with two together, one asking questions from the front seat while the other in the back seat scurries to find answers, a neat game of Did-you-know can be had. For example, with Venus, did you know one of its mountain’s names is Danu Montes. Also, surface temperature, atmosphere and relevant space probes entice a young mind to stretch out past the limits of their vision.

Of course, the main draw for this book is the centerfold. More than twenty groovy stickers can be removed and placed anywhere; a car’s interior, inside a tent’s wall, or on your sibling’s nose. These easy to peel and re-arrange stickers depict each planet, some comets, the moon and shiny stars. Glow in the Dark Planets is a short book but it might be just the lifesaver for one too many hours in a car.

The second book, From Blue Moons to Black Holes is just as good for shortening a journey. However, it’s really a questions and answer book with a few pictures, some diagrams and lots of information. For all those really neat space questions you’ve been dying to ask, each have answers. You can test your knowledge by comparing your answers or become a rocket scientist by memorizing the given answers. Either way there’s lots to learn.

For each question, the answer comes in two parts. First there is a short yes, no or one line response. This is fabulous for those seeking answers without explanation. Following this there is an excellent discussion surrounding the question. This discussion usually tries to draw a corollary to something readily known on Earth. For example, in answering the question, ‘Could we see lunar colonies?”, the short answer is ‘Perhaps but only with a telescope.’ The discussion then goes on to note that seeing a man made object on the moon would need the object to be much bigger than the city of Los Angeles.

The answers themselves are short, to the point and stand well on their own. Where appropriate, they are linked by references to other answers. Some are opinionated, and biassed for space exploration. For example, the answer to “Should We Travel to Mars?” is a resounding Yes!

To compliment the question and answer section there is some standard astronomy fare. A section on telescope identification, selection and usage helps a reader make the step into aided astronomy. Data on the planets, their moons and eclipses also are present for an easy reference. Perhaps what may not be to everyone’s interest is a section listing every mission to our moon as well as to the other planets. However this would perfectly satisfy the trivia buff.

One other significant selling feature of From Blue Moons to Black Holes is the size (28x22cm), large font and lots of margin space. This makes for very easy reading and more importantly easy notation for adding more or updating existing information.

This summer, don’t let a long drive do you in. Nor let a perfect night’s star watching make you feel somehow out-of-it. Get some good fun astronomy books like John Starke’s Glow in the Dark Planets or a wonderful reference like Melanie Melton Knocke’s From Blue Moons to Black Holes to keep times fun and interesting.

Review by Mark Mortimer

For those unfamiliar with Story Musgrave, a quick list is in order. Story worked at NASA for 30 years. As mission specialist or payload commander for six shuttle flights, he contributed to many scientific endeavours, including the mission to fix the Hubble telescope. While on ground, he kept busy by helping design the EVA suit, being the CapCom for many missions, giving soaring and flight lessons as well as using his medical doctorate at hospitals to perform surgery on patients. With many degrees, he has kept his mind sharp, while with many contributions he has endeavoured to use the knowledge to great benefit.
Continue reading “Book Review: Story – The Way of Water”

Deep Space – The NASA Mission Reports. Click to enlarge.
With the maturing of space flight in the 1960’s, NASA could set goals loftier than clambering around Earth’s nearest satellite for a few short hours. There existed the ability to travel anywhere in the solar system, take measurements and view the results. Grabbing this opportunity with both hands, NASA launched:

? the Pioneer 10 and 11 crafts on two missions to Jupiter,
? the Voyager 1 and 2 crafts on two missions to Jupiter, Saturn and beyond,
? the Galileo craft on a mission to Jupiter,
? the Cassini-Huygens craft on a mission to Saturn,
? the Deep Space 1 craft on a mission to comet 19P/Borrelly, and
? the Stardust craft on a mission to comet Wild-2.

Nominally each was to expand our knowledge of the solar system and to better understand our relative place within it.

NASA, as typical for all government bureaucracies, dutifully printed up extensive documentation for each mission. From these, the book provides reproductions of press kits, special reports, status reports and fact sheets. The press kits predominate. They describe the craft, the mission, current activities, any extenuating circumstances and expectations just prior to critical moments. Typically, one kit gives a pre-launch summary and others give a summary just before the first encounter of a target. The kits are quite detailed with break downs of the components and functions of each spacecraft. Descriptions of the purpose and equipment for each science experiments clarify the purpose. The trajectory, navigation and communication elements demonstrate some challenges to be overcome. Lists of project managers, principal investigators and contractors ensure posterity to many participants. Thin coverage of the results is an indicator that, though NASA ran the missions and wrote many transcripts, there were others that promulgated the results in their own distinct fashion.

The enclosed DVD shows how NASA has leapt into the new media of video. Audio/video footage from NASA TV and other NASA sources show boosters lofting payloads up and away. During final countdown, often a lengthy time of apparent inactivity, images of trucks and transport aeroplanes delivering components liven up the proceedings. Clean room activities, such as checking solar arrays and mating components, give some insight into preflight activities. Video results of encounters particularly reward viewers. A wonderful segment shows a complete 360 degree coverage of the tumbling asteroid Eros from a very close perspective. Voyager’s visual imagery of the swirling storms on Jupiter transfix the eye and certainly credit the usage of video as a strong communication media.

With the inclusion of all these deep space missions, the editors Godwin and Whitfield provide a marvellous resource for reviewing any deep space mission. Further, by proceeding in a chronological order, the reader can easily grasp how results of an earlier mission influenced the investigations of the following one. From the Pioneer mission, where transit of the asteroid belt came with much misgivings, to Cassini-Huygens dropping a capable probe onto a moon of Saturn, the press kits look the same but the contents just keep getting better.

One thing about having dual missions like Pioneer 10 and 11 or Voyager 1 and 2 is that a lot of similarity exists. The same must be said for their press kits. Though the editors appear to have tried to remove some repetitive verbiage, there are still many tracts, drawings and lists that appear time and again in the book. This is true whether the kits are for different moments of the same mission or of related missions. Also, in keeping with government-eze, just about all the dissertation blandly recites facts and figures. Qualitative descriptors are few and far between. Regarding the DVD, the short 8 page PDF file for Galileo seems an injustice especially considering the 100’s of pages and videos for both Pioneer and Voyager.

One truly rewarding decisions created NASA as a non-military organization. In consequence, they hide little in the quest to learn more about the universe in which we live. The book Deep Space – The NASA Mission Reports as edited by Robert Godwin and Steve Whitfield compiles the very detailed official announcements from NASA for their missions that travelled beyond Mars. In it, facts, figures, data and images corroborate our new awareness and appreciation of our planetary neighbourhood.

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Review by Mark Mortimer

Ed Buckbee started working for NASA in 1959 and was eventually a public affairs officer for the Mercury and other programs. He has kept involved with the United States and international space program. He is also the founder of Space Camp, an educational facility for young want-to-be astronauts. Wally Schirra is one of the original seven astronauts, known as the Mercury Seven. He flew in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Given this involvement and their obvious continual passion for space, their book is filled with vivid memories and thoughtful recollections of many of the most well known participants, such as Alan Shepard, John Glenn and Werhner von Braun. Through the judicious use of quotations and well detailed settings, this book brings to life many memorable and probably unknown personal events.

As with any diary, this book journeys down memory lane. The topics flow through chronologically from about the early 1960’s when a squirrel monkey named Miss Baker went into orbit. It ends with taikonauts and the rising stars of Space Camp. Details of bathroom pranks, rocket men in cowboy hats and turtle club antics show an inclination less to factual dissertations and more to the warmer, funny side of things. Most of the writing seems to come from Buckbee’s own experiences. However many quotes, mainly from the Mercury 7 astronauts, bring to life other participants’ feelings regarding space flight, tragedies and hard work. Further, Buckbee has added many photographs of relevant people (and himself) at auspicious occasions. From it all, the message conveys an appreciation of the continual overwork, levity and trepidation that was part of the astronauts’ everyday lives at the forefront of technology.

Separate chapters focus uniquely on each of the Mercury Seven. These principally have direct quotes from those alive or fond remembrances of colleagues since gone. President Kennedy, a recognized driving force for the program, has a chapter that focuses on his involvement. The chapter of Wernher von Braun, the rocket man spirited over from Germany after the end of World War II, highlights his views on travelling to Mars. Most of all though, Alan Shepard’s memories, spirited ‘gotcha’s, and contributions predominate, including a touching memorial to him and his wife Louise. Though not all these people personified the traditional cowboy, they certainly were significant figures in the U.S.’s space program.

Recorded on a DVD attached to the back is a collection of videos. These range from documentaries, to conferences and onto joke films all directly or closely related to the Mercury astronauts. A film clip of Schirra’s ‘roasts’ Shepard after his flight into space. Some rather dry conferences with question and answer periods show astronauts responding to questions from the public. Documentaries, such as the one of Skylab, show the glossy period pieces. Whether for propaganda purposes, advertising or simple stress relief, each film clip adds to the people and events of the book.

The title reference to cowboys presumably acknowledges the typical traits of the astronauts. Or, it is a reference to a picture of Schirra ‘riding’ his Sigma 7 Mercury spacecraft at a museum. Whichever, the book never defines the traits of a cowboy nor how the astronauts had similarities. Nor does the issue of real versus fake appear. Perhaps Buckbee was alluding to the astronauts independence and self confidence which does manifest itself. In addition, the book has the feel of coming from a public relations department. This is not all that bad, as the perspective is unique and close to the action. However, everything has a very positive spin. From this perspective, all the people worked hard, did great deeds and never seemed to have any of the common human failings. Perhaps this is the greatest discrepancy as there are many unpleasantries and failures associated with cowboys of the wild west.

A diary, like this book, is a fun trip down memory lane. The Real Space Cowboys a book by Ed Buckbee with Wally Schirra provides this trip. And coming from the NASA public relations official involved with the program and an astronaut, you can be certain it provides a complimentary, close-in perspective. This together with the many photographs and the included film footage makes travelling this lane a joy.

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Review by Mark Mortimer

The Planets by Gail Gibbons is a primary level reader. Go outdoors with a youngster and point out the bright red dot of Mars. Then, return indoors and peruse the friendly and accurate portrayal of this planet in the book. For instance, with Mars, there is a diagram that shows its relative orbital position about the sun and a realistic drawing of the Martian globe. There is one diagram per page and underneath each diagram there is some text with relevant facts. Again with Mars, we read how it is the fourth planet from the Sun, about 142 million miles away and two robotic vehicles are exploring its surface. Each of the planets has a two page spread and appropriate factual data.

This book would easily satisfy the bedtime story for the young space buff. A touch of history, a sprinkling of physics and some clever visual representations might instil some knowledge and even awaken that nascent curiosity. For those who are just learning to read, this book will acquaint them with words more challenging than ‘See Spot run’. Further, because of the faithful rendering of the planets, they will knowingly begin to associate traits with names, e.g. the rings belong to Saturn.

Whether you are doing the reading or helping a younger one with theirs, The Planets will start opening up the concept of space and where we are within it.

Admittedly, children grow up way too fast. Primary readers quickly become outdated and children will seek new challenges. The book Stargazer by Ben Morgan is just the solution. Within it are many outdoor and indoor activities to keep a child’s mind turning and their fingers busy.

Within it are more than thirty ways of exploring the skies. Following these will enable youngsters and their elders to happily spend time learning in harmony. Together you can make a planisphere, set up an experiment to check for life and prepare a lunar calendar. These and the other activities will push children into the more abstract thinking associated with the sciences, and at the same time their significance can easily be grasped by an adult so as to relay their deeper meaning.

In keeping with the shorter attention span of the young, the activities are fairly simple and for the most part quick to complete. A two page description is all most have and need. Each has background information, a list of ‘ingredients’ and step by step instructions. For instance, the atmosphere of Jupiter is discussed. Then using simple kitchen items the reader is guided into making patterns of liquids similar to Jupiter’s great red spot. Side comments note the Galileo probe and the Voyager probes that each visited Jupiter.

Stargazer encompasses a broad range of experiments to help a child learn get acquainted with the scientific method and further appreciate the enormity of our universe. In its small format, it is easy to carry and use at club or group meetings while fold-out field guides to the constellations would assist in outdoor discoveries.

In a similar way, Joe Rhatigan and Rain Newcomb in their book Out of This World Astronomy set their own stage for discovery and learning by doing. Within this book are fifty science projects to help grasp the nuances of our solar system, galaxies and even the big bang. With photographs, drawings and sketches, their projects can be accomplished with ease while intertwined related material lets a young reader explore further.

The projects are clearly laid out. A preliminary rationale demonstrates the activity and its relation to the real-life scenario. Again there is a list of required elements and then a step by step guide takes you through the project toward any conclusions. For instance, to grasp the relative distance of the orbits, the reader can head to their nearest football field, place a marker for the sun at one end zone and then use the yard lines to place markers at the appropriate location for each of the planets. Like most of the others, this activity is clear, simple, yet, succinct.

Between the projects, Rhatigan and Newcomb have included many of the mainstays of star watching. The proper use of red lights, how to estimate angles using finger widths, and the construction of the telescope types are all presented. Helpful hints guide the user in finding the planets. Quizzes reinforce the understanding of significant attributes while historical tidbits show the influence the stars have held on generations gone by.

Given the larger format and hardcover, the book Out of This World Astronomy seems better as a static reference. The experiments probably need a bit of planning and the information pages between the experiments are best for a single person sitting down and contemplating. However, the activities are of course more fun with another person or in a group.

The fourth book in this review is a junior level reference work, the Scholastic Atlas of Space. Perhaps the ubiquitous science project is raising its head or your child is asking questions that are beyond your ken. The simple explanations and inviting pictures included within this book will have the two of you happily learning more and getting homework done in no time.

As in keeping with a reference, the book is divided into particular subject matters. Each has background information, relevancy and association. For example under “looking into space” the text discusses the history of observation, broadens the knowledge by discussing the electromagnetic spectrum and then highlights the current top-of-the-heap ability, the Keck telescope on Mount Mauna Kea and the Hubble space telescope.

The subjects extend through the typical space arena. The beginning of the universe, galaxies and formation of stars lead into solar systems. Then, of course, each of our solar system’s planet gets portrayed with their own two page spread of pictures and drawings. The book concludes with a list of facts, star charts for the northern and southern hemisphere, and a helpful glossary.

Though the Scholastic Atlas of Space is a great reference, it really isn’t an atlas. However, one point where it and the Stargazer are well thought out is that they provide units in both metric (i.e. kilometres) and imperial (i.e. miles) values. Out of This World Astronomy give values only in imperial units though it does have a conversion chart in the very back. Nevertheless, all four excel at emphasizing visual imagery rather than text information, a fact alone that sets them apart as being well suited for the young audience.

The stars are free to anyone who wants to view their beauty. Sharing in their twinkling makes their value even greater. So don’t spend too many late nights alone watching the stars spin and rotate about. Use any of the four books described above to easily introduce the wonders of the night skies to young children and together you can expand your horizons.

Review by Mark Mortimer.

The Atlas booster evolved directly from the melding of experienced German rocket scientists with the need of the United States to counter the USSR’s ability. That is, the United States needed an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). However, as much as the German’s had successfully produced the V2 rocket, there was a huge jump in requirements from the V2 to their needs. For instance, a much heavier payload had to accurately and quickly fly much further over the Earth’s surface and land within a few miles of a given target. And this was to happen within minutes from activation. The Atlas booster was one of the industries’ responses to this government need and this history takes the reader through many of the trials, tribulations and interesting moments that occurred in this evolution of rocket technology.

The goal of the Atlas project was to have a number of active squadrons of ICBMs, ready in an instant to retaliate. Yet, their main goal was to deter an aggressor so they would truly succeed by remaining unused. In a few short years, Convair achieved this goal but the technological advances soon outdated the Atlas booster. Here is where Walker emphasises the beauty of the design as, even with this end point, the Atlas booster went on to perform stellar work in another arena, the space program. Using the tried and true technology of the Atlas booster, men were placed in orbit, cameras were sent to the moon and many global observatories were lofted up. That is, even after launching all the stored Atlas boosters, Convair kept producing these boosters to satisfy general space launch needs.

Using the perspective of a managerial level expert in this industrial program, which he was, Chuck Walker takes the reader on through the concept stage and up to the end of life for the primary mission. His history commences with the state of world affairs that generated a request for proposal by the United States’ Air Force. Convair, an aeroplane manufacturer dabbling in rocketry, won. Walker then uses his own experience within Convair, as well as recollections of many other managers together with saved documentation, to prepare a valid general review.

We read how estimates had to be made for launch site construction even though the missile design was not complete. Materials got stressed to the boundaries of knowledge and beyond. Configuration management, tracking change requests and obtaining appropriate authority ranged from casual recognition during the design stages to almost stifling bureaucracy during installation. Equally, the test and trials start with pure guess work but with experience, processes and procedures ably verified capability and ensured safety. This transformation from novice to proud and knowledgeable initiate resonates throughout the text.

In addition to the actual missile fabrication and deployment, Walker includes many direct contributions from relevant people regarding events and relations with other companies and subcontractors. These views come almost singularly from Convair managerial personnel so there is likely some bias in the perspective. Negligible reference is given to the contributions from subcontractors such as Rocketdyne and its rocket engines or General Electric and its guidance package. Interactions with the customer, that is the United States Air Force, continually crop up to put the pace and level of work into perspective. An overseer company, Ramo-Wooldridge, also has many references as it performed reviews and secondary checks often to the consternation of Convair managers. In all, many personal relationships, well remembered expos?s and a few choice scenarios pleasantly enliven the staid details normally associated with the histories of equipment.

As with any historical review, this book follows a chronological order. However, many particular quotes make the time line seem jumpy. That is, contributor often refer to events discussed in earlier chapters or covered further along in the text. Also, given that Walker refers to the Atlas as a workhorse of the space program, there could have been more information on its usage as such, for example to discuss significant upgrades and accomplishments. Still, there are references for those wishing to explore further.

An Atlas booster put John Glenn into orbit, Surveyor-1 on the Moon and Pioneer-11 to Saturn. But, it began as a critical element in the United States’ policy of deterrence in the early 1960s when rocketry was still in its infancy. The book “Atlas The Ultimate Weapon” by Chuck Walker, with Joel Powell, writes up the history of the development of this weapon and in so doing describes the challenges in mass producing a state of the art ballistic rocket.

Order a copy online from Countdown Creations.

Review by Mark Mortimer.

Space tourism seems as obtainable to us as the sun was to Icarus. We struggle to maintain and inhabit a man made structure in the safety of low Earth orbit. Yet, we read about hotels that will allow honeymooners to gaze at the sun setting every 90 minutes. This may be a bit of a stretch, but space tourism can solidly generate revenue for some entrepreneur. As Van Pelt notes, two people have already paid significant amounts, $20 million each, to visit space. Further, as the attraction would easily better any other on planet Earth, all that’s needed is a price low enough. With this, hundreds of people each year would spend their annual vacations in orbit. It is an extreme engineering challenge if there ever was one. Still, from Van Pelt’s perspective, it’s quite obtainable.

Through the book, Van Pelt discusses the technical issues of space flight and pleasant issues of leisure time in space. In a neutral, analytical view, he considers technical issues, starting with the history of space activities, the progressive development of launch vehicles, existing state of the art capabilities and the steps needed to enable the space tourism industry. Practicalities like radiation dosimetres, pressure suits to counter g forces, pre-flight training and group interactions also get attention. These and other technical details are faithfully extended from current or historically established technology. However, launcher reusability is favoured without much supporting justification. Also, some of the later discussion about warp drives, transporters and faster than light travel seem a little out of place and add an incredulous tone to an otherwise rational and even presentation.

Van Pelt has much more fun with the leisure time activities. Using a first person perspective, he places the reader on a three day vacation to an orbiting hotel. The novelty of training, safety lessons and equipment fit-out comes through like any tourist getting ready to embark on some adventurous voyage to the big unknown. Continual comparisons to today’s commercial aeroplane flights enhance the nearness of this opportunity. Further chapters on the launch, ascent and commencement of microgravity quickly distance this trip from any commercial flight. The prose really puts the reader’s feet in the shoes of the starry eyed guest. The descent and landing give the pleasant denouement that would leave the space flyer, and presumably the reader, earnestly desiring another flight. Van Pelt also forays into predicting voyage highlights by imagining sports, games, trysts, and dancing in the realm of microgravity. He ably amplifies how common activities can take on exhilarating dimensions in the confines of a space hotel or on distant surfaces such as the 1/6’th gravity of the moon. There certainly shouldn’t be any lack of fun should his views come to pass.

To aid the reader, the two aspects of the book, the technical and first person view, come in their own chapters. Each follows along logically from the predecessor. For example, first the technical chapter discusses launch vehicles. Then, the first person view places the reader in the eyes of a person as they are launched. Despite these two aspects, the prose remains complimentary, the technical part not being too dry nor the first person view being too qualitative.

As well, the imagination and optimism shown in this book makes for an enjoyable and quick read. Quotes from science fiction writers shows how reality keeps catching up to the earlier imagination of writers from many years ago. Sometimes the optimism gets a bit much though. Van Pelt would have us believe that only a few different decisions at various stages in the United States’ space program would have had people on Mars by now. Also, the discussions about travelling to Mars and further distant planets or stars again raise incredulity rather than support the perceived industry. To build credence and optimism, these parts of the book should have been balanced with more details on means and methods of constructing the infrastructure.

Reality keeps catching up with science fiction. Scientists labour in labs while engineers construct in the field in order to bring the future a little closer to today. However, even they will need to rest and recharge. Michel Van Pelt describes the perfect travel location for recharging in his book, Space Tourism and shows what we need to get there and what may happen once we arrive.

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Review by Mark Mortimer.