To Reach the High Frontier: A History of U.S. Launch Vehicles (review)

Abstract

Humankind has dreamt about exploring the universe through spaceflight since ancient times. Yet until the development of rocket technology in the mid-twentieth century, no means existed to escape Earth's gravity. Access to space came out of the military development of ballistic missiles. They became the launchers for satellites and astronauts during the Cold War. This collection of essays assesses the development of American rockets and their role in commercial and military space activities since the 1950s. The book explores the broad history of American rocketry while focusing on the vehicles that played the greatest role in providing access to space.