This book describes some of the more interesting aspects of life at Cape Canaveral and the U.S. missile systems that were developed there through the eyes of a young engineer, fresh out of college, who was indoctrinated into the profession during one of the most turbulent times in U.S. history. It briefly describes rocket engines, rocket engine propellants, and the various missile systems developed during the Cold War with the U.S.S.R. It goes behind the scenes in discussing problems experienced during an actual countdown operation with the Atlas Missile. It concludes with a candid narrative by the author of his sometimes serious, sometimes humorous experiences at Cape Canaveral that took him close to some of the people that made U.S. history in space flight and space exploration.

Offers an account of the competitive technological and political race between the United States and the Soviet Union and their leaders to launch satellites.

The space race grew out of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the most powerful nations after World War II. For a half-century, they competed for primacy in a global struggle. Space was a crucial arena for this rivalry. Before a watchful world, each side sought to demonstrate its superiority through impressive feats in rocketry and space flight. Meanwhile, secret satellites were developed to keep a war eye on the adversary. At the Cold War's end, the United States and Russia agreed to build a space station and pursue other joint ventures in space. A contest that had begun in fear and enmity ended in partnership. Drawing on recently declassified material and featuring a wide variety of U.S. and Soviet artifacts, "Space race" examines the spectacular, publicly celebrated milestones of our first steps into space, as well as highly secret efforts to spy on adversaries from high above the Earth. In compelling photographs and terse, informed text, this book tells the story of time when the superpowers sought to make the heavens inseparable from the earth.

This book explores the character and contours of the Asian Space Powers. At present, Asian states like China, Japan and India are found investing in space technologies with analogous social and scientific and probably with divergent military intents. Other Asian states like Israel, South Korea and Malaysia are also making investments in the space arena. States like Iran and North Korea are faulted for using space launches as a demonstrative tool to achieve strategic objectives. This work examines this entire maze of activities to unearth where these states are making these investments to accomplish their state-specific goal or are they also trying to surpass each other by engaging in competition. Explaining why and how these states are making investments towards achieving their socio-economic and strategic mandate this book infers that the possibility of Asian Space Race exists but is presently fairly diminutive.

The world’s most populous nation views space as an asset, not only from a technological and commercial perspective but also from a political one. The repercussions of this ideology already extend far beyond Washington. China vs. the United States explores future Chinese aspirations in space and the implications of a looming space race. Dr. Seedhouse provides background information on the fifteen-year history of the China National Space Administration and its long list of accomplishments. Sino-U.S. technological and commercial interests in space are discussed, including their interest in encouraging a potential space race. The national security objectives of the U.S. and China are also examined.