The Space Shuttle Decision 1965-1972. (Books).

Engineer, The, March, 2003 by Rob Coppinger

History of the Space Shuttle Vol 1

TA Heppenheimer, Smithsonian Institution Press, [pounds sterling]12.97

*****

The first of two volumes, this book examines the history and political decisions that shaped the Shuttle's eventual design. The first few chapters are an examination of the history of rocketry that led to the development of a space shuttle.

Nazi scientist Werner von Braun features early on in the book as a man with enormous influence and scientific vision. Much of this opening section deals with his dreams and NASA's later studies for manned space stations. This is necessary background material, since the concept of a shuttle vehicle was inextricably linked with the idea of developing a space station.

Even in the...