The Birth of NASA

Beschreibung

This is the story of the work of the original NASA space pioneers; men and women who were suddenly organized in 1958 from the then National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) into the Space Task Group. A relatively small group, they developed the initial mission concept plans and procedures for the U. S. space program. Then they boldly built hardware and facilities to accomplish those missions. The group existed only three years before they were transferred to the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, in 1962, but their organization left a large mark on what would follow.Von Ehrenfried's personal experience with the STG at Langley uniquely positions him to describe the way the group was structured and how it reacted to the new demands of a post-Sputnik era. He artfully analyzes how the growing space program was managed and what techniques enabled it to develop so quickly from an operations perspective. The result is a fascinating window into history, amply backedup by first person documentation and interviews.
This is the story of the work of the original NASA space pioneers; men and women who were suddenly organized in 1958 from the then National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) into the Space Task Group. A relatively small group, they developed the initial mission concept plans and procedures for the U. S. space program. Then they boldly built hardware and facilities to accomplish those missions. The group existed only three years before they were transferred to the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, in 1962, but their organization left a large mark on what would follow.Von Ehrenfried's personal experience with the STG at Langley uniquely positions him to describe the way the group was structured and how it reacted to the new demands of a post-Sputnik era. He artfully analyzes how the growing space program was managed and what techniques enabled it to develop so quickly from an operations perspective. The result is a fascinating window into history, amply backed up by first person documentation and interviews.
Based on heavy use of first person interviews and written by an original member of the Space Task Group Offers insight into the climate that led to the creation of the STG and the way management solved problems Puts into context the shock waves that Sputnik produced and explains how the Russian achievements motivated American gains Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autor*in

Manfred "Dutch" von Ehrenfried

Themen in »The Birth of NASA«

Aerospace management Dr Robert Gilruth Early US space flight program John Glenn flight operations Langley Research Center and NASA Mercury, Gemini, Apollo years NACA history NASA early history NASA space pioneers National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics US reaction to Sputnik

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“This work lets one go behind the scenes of the creation of one of the most innovative and awe-inspiring agencies of the American government. … a reference work that tells a story, as well as a story that can double as a reference work. … Researchers will enjoy the data, which can be accessed via a well-organized table of contents, a comprehensive index, and multiple appendixes. Any space enthusiast will be intrigued by this work. … Summing Up: Recommended.” (R. I. Saltz, Choice, Vol. 54 (2), October, 2016)

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