Apollo Expeditions to the Moon

Discover the thrilling inside story of the Apollo program with this new commemorative edition of an official NASA publication. Marking the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing, this volume features essays by the program's participants—engineers, administrators, and astronauts—that recall the unprecedented challenges associated with putting men on the Moon. Written in direct, jargon-free language, this compelling adventure story features scores of black-and-white illustrations, in addition to more than 160 dazzling color photographs."A triumph of organization as well as daring, the Apollo program reflects the success of a dedicated crew of gifted individuals. This well-rounded survey offers insights into the program's management challenges as well as its engineering feats. Contributors include NASA administrator James E. Webb; Christopher C. Kraft, head of the Mission Control Center; engineer Wernher von Braun; Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, Alan Shepard, and other astronauts. Informative, exciting narratives explore the issues that set the United States on the path to the Moon, offer perspectives on the program's legacy, and examine the particulars of individual missions. Journalist Robert Sherrod chronicles the selection and training of astronauts. James Lovell, commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13, recounts the damaged ship's dramatic return to Earth. Geologist and Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt discusses the lunar expeditions' rich harvest of scientific information. These and other captivating firsthand accounts form an ideal introduction to the historic U.S. space program as well as fascinating reading for Apollo enthusiasts of all ages.