Drawing from a background in biology and extensive global travels, this author infuses her writing with vivid characters and captivating plots encountered in diverse locales, from South America and Asia to remote British Columbia coastlines. What began as reflections in travel notebooks evolved into published works, moving from columns and magazine articles to full-length books. Her prose is rich with the essence of the people and places that have shaped her experiences, offering readers a window into worlds both exotic and deeply felt. Her connection to the natural world and the human stories within it forms the heart of her distinct literary voice.
This book explores the evolution of Japan's space program, from its beginnings with small satellites to its current status as a leading space power in Asia. It highlights key figures, technological advancements, infrastructure, and the political landscape, while envisioning future missions to Mercury and the Moon.
Exploring the complexities of space travel, this book delves into the environmental impact of humanity's ventures beyond Earth. It highlights the significant efforts required for space exploration and the growing role of private companies and billionaires in revitalizing interest in space, reminiscent of the historical space race. The narrative emphasizes the disconnect between space and Earth, urging readers to consider the broader consequences of launching materials into the void and the carbon footprint left behind.
After a 25-year break from boating, Brian Harvey circumnavigates Vancouver Island with his wife, his dog, and a box of documents that surfaced after his father's death. In this memoir, Brian Harvey shares his experience of voyaging with his father's ghost for two months in the Pacific.
In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy committed the United States to landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade. With just a handful of years to pull it off, NASA authorized the Project Gemini space program, which gathered vital knowledge needed to achieve the nation’s goal. This book introduces the crucial three-step test program employed by the Gemini system, covering: The short unmanned orbital flight of Gemini 1 that tested the compatibility of launch vehicle, spacecraft and ground systems. The unmanned suborbital flight of Gemini 2 to establish the integrity of the reentry system and protective heat shield. The three-orbit manned evaluation flight of Gemini 3, christened ‘Molly Brown’ by her crew. A mission recalled orbit by orbit, using mission transcripts, post-flight reports and the astronauts’ own account of their historic journey. The missions of Project Gemini was the pivotal steppingstone between Project Mercury and the Apollo Program. Following the success of its first two unmanned missions and the exploits of Gus Grissom and John Young on Gemini 3, NASA gained the confidence to plan an even bolder step on its next mission, as described in the next book in this series on Gemini 4.
Early Docking Technologies from Concept to Implementation
How could the newly authorized space shuttle help in the U.S. quest to build a large research station in Earth orbit? As a means of transporting goods, the shuttle could help supply the parts to the station. But how would the two entitles be physically linked? Docking technologies had to constantly evolve as the designs of the early space stations changed. It was hoped the shuttle would make missions to the Russian Salyut and American Skylab stations, but these were postponed until the Mir station became available, while plans for getting a new U. S. space station underway were stalled. In Linking the Space Shuttle and Space Stations, the author delves into the rich history of the Space Shuttle and its connection to these early space stations, culminating in the nine missions to dock the shuttle to Mir. By 1998, after nearly three decades of planning and operations, shuttle missions to Mir had resulted in: " A proven system to link up the space shuttle to a space station " Equipment and hands-on experience in handling tons of materials " An infrastructure to support space station assembly and resupply Each of these played a pivotal role in developing the skills and procedures crucial to the creation of the later, much larger and far more complex International Space Station, as described in the companion volume Assembling and Supplying the ISS: The Space Shuttle Fulfills Its Mission.
The American Explorer Program
Explorer was the original American space program and Explorer 1 its first satellite, launched in 1958. It introduces the launchers (Juno, Thor, etc.), the launch centers, the ground centers and key personalities like James Van Allen who helped develop and run the spacecraft's exciting programs.
Telling the story of the International Space Station from the perspective of the space shuttle s involvement in the assembly and re-supply of the station over 13 years, this book captures how the intricate and wide-reaching infrastructure required by each mission was managed, with years of detailed study and evaluation between 1995 and 2011.
Roman Lives , a new edition to the Focus Classical Sources library, is a sourcebook that explores ancient life in all strata of Roman society by examining the epitaphs and other inscriptions in Latin. For departments of Classics at the high school or college level which offer Roman Civilization, Epigraphy, or Roman culture courses.
Brian Harvey recounts for the first time the definitive history of scientific Russian space probes and the knowledge they acquired of the Earth, its environment, the Moon, Mars and Venus.
The narrative explores the misuse of science through a biologist's quest to save fish species threatened by dams. His journey spans diverse locations, including the Fraser River and Japan's Tsukiji market, as well as stops in the Philippines, Thailand, and Brazil. Along the way, he meets an array of colorful characters, from an endangered catfish to a chain-smoking Brazilian, highlighting the complexities of fishing communities and the environmental challenges they face. This unique blend of adventure and environmental writing offers fresh perspectives on the world of fish and those who interact with them.