John M Logsdon

Exploring the Unknown - Selected Documents in the History of the U.s. Civil Space Program Volume Iii: Using Space John M Logsdon

Publisher Marketing: One of the most important developments of the twentieth century has been the movement of humanity into space with machines and people. The underpinnings of that movement -why it took the shape it did; which individuals and organizations were involved; what factors drove a particular choice of scientific objectives and technologies to be used; and the political, economic, managerial, and international contexts in which the events of the space age unfolded- are all important ingredients of this epoch transition from an earthbound to spacefaring people. This desire to understand the development of spaceflight in the United States sparked this documentary history series. 'Exploring the Unknown' is a multi-volume series containing a selection of key documents in history of the U. S. civil space program. This current volume, Volume III, focusing on the use of space for practical applications, prints 112 key documents on the history of satellite communications, remote sensing of earth, and space as an investment in economic growth, edited for ease of use. Each is introduced by a headnote providing context, bibliographical information, and background information necessary to understanding the document. NASA History Series SP 4407. Contributor Bio:  Logsdon, John M John Logsdon is former Director of the Space Policy Institute at The George Washington University. Logsdon was a member of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. He is a current member of the NASA Advisory Council. Logsdon is a professor emeritus of political science and international affairs, and has been on the GWU faculty since 1970. He is also on the faculty of the International Space University, and held the first Chair in Space History at the National Air and Space Museum. During 2008-2009, he held the position of Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. Logsdon authored the entry on space exploration for the latest edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica and many articles and commentaries. Contributor Bio:  Launius, Roger D Roger D. Launius is a curator at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. He has written or edited a number of books, including "Imagining Space: Achievements, Projections, Possibilities, 1950-2050".