Rod is an author captivated by space exploration and technology, a passion ignited in his introverted childhood spent engrossed in rocket launches, moonwalks, and science fiction. Though he once dreamed of becoming an astronaut, he now humorously acknowledges his unsuitability for spaceflight. His academic journey was as diverse as his interests, culminating in degrees in film and a master's from Stanford. While he resides in Pasadena, his imagination still drifts towards the allure of azure seas and tropical shores.
The Apollo Missions tells the significant, spectacular and intriguing story of the Apollo space programme through first-person accounts by the astronauts themselves, explained and put into context with expert commentary by Rod Pyle. The Apollo Missions contains over 100 images - many of which are rarely seen - drawn from original NASA film.
Celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission by sharing firsthand accounts from exclusive interviews and accessible explanations of the mission's technical problems.
NASA's new lander, InSight, has touched down on the red planet, and in two years Mars 2020 rover will depart Cape Canaveral bound for the red planet.
Exploring the planets has been a goal of America's space program since the dawn of the space race. This insider's perspective examines incredible missions of robotic spacecraft to every corner of our solar system and beyond. Some were flown into glory, while others were planned and relegated to dusty filing cabinets. All were remarkable in their aspirations. Award-winning science writer Rod Pyle profiles both the remarkable spacecraft and the amazing scientists and engineers who made them possible. From the earliest sprints past Venus and Mars to Voyager1's current explorations of the space between the stars, this exciting book sheds new light on ever-more ambitious journeys designed to increase the human reach into the solar system
Profiles the remarkable pilots, scientists, and engineers whose work was instrumental in space missions to every corner of our solar system and beyond. Besides heralded names like Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and Gene Kranz, the author highlights some of the "hidden figures" who played crucial roles in the success of NASA, Soviet, and international space exploration. For example, Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to travel into space, aboard Soviet spacecraft Vostok 6. American Margaret Hamilton was an accomplished mathematician and one of the first female software engineers to design programs for spaceflight, software that proved critical to the success of the moon landing. And Pete Conrad, "salty sailor of the skies," flew twice in the Gemini programs, landed on the moon in Apollo 12, and was the commander of the first crew to visit America's new Skylab space station--its first ever--in 1973. Complemented by many rarely-seen photos and illustrations, these stories of the highly talented and dedicated people, many of whom worked tirelessly behind the scenes, will fascinate and inspire. -- Publisher's description
Along with the National Space Society, a foremost space historian and author offers an inside look at the next 20 years in space flight.
Full of personal insights and accounts of the long journey to getting a man on the moon, Missions to the Moon is the perfect companion for anyone with a love of space travel, the moon landings, or NASA, CNSA, RFSA, and the rest of the world's space programs.
Reveals the most unusual space missions ever devised inside and outside of NASA during a time when nothing was too odd to be taken seriously, and the race to the moon and the threat from the Soviet Union trumped all other considerations. --Publisher.
Filled with extraordinary detail and documents, this book offers a visually stunning insider's look at how Mars has been explored and the challenges facing future missions. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been the principal explorer, launching the Mariner spacecraft that sped past Mars and snapped 22 grainy photographs in 1965.
This beautifully illustrated pop science book which answers the enduring questions raised by science fiction, such as "Do hoverboards really exist?", "How can you bring a dinosaur back to life?" and "Can we really travel in time and space?" Packed with stunning images, including 75 illustrations created exclusively for this book, Blueprint for a Battlestar takes twenty-five remarkable and memorable technologies from the world of sci-fi, from Star Wars and The Matrix to Ironman and The Terminator. Each concept will be explained and dissected to reveal the real science behind it. Some are boldly obvious - such as the Death Star and exoskeletons - and some less so (think bio-ports or cloaking devices). All are fascinating and will make wonderful explorations into the science of the future as we understand it today.
