
U.S. Space-launch Vehicle Technology
Viking to Space Shuttle
University Press of Florida(Author)
University Press of Florida
Published on 31. May 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
470 pages
978-0-8130-3178-1 (ISBN)
Description
For nearly fifty years, a wide range of missiles and rockets has propelled U.S. satellites and spacecraft into the sky. J. D. Hunley's two-volume work traces the evolution of this technology, from Robert Goddard's research in the 1920s through the development of the Titan missiles and launch vehicles in the 1960s to the refinement of the space shuttle in the 1980s.With the first book devoted primarily to military hardware and the second to launch vehicle hardware, Hunley offers a sweeping overview of these impressive engineering innovations as well as insights into the dynamic personalities responsible for them. Together, the two volumes offer a unique, invaluable history of rocketry that should appeal to a wide range of scholars and space buffs.
Reviews / Votes
"Hunley makes the connection between military and civil space vehicles by informing readers that NASA's launchers were originally long-range military ballistic missiles." - Jacob Neufeld, editor in chief, Air Power History "These two volumes tell the compelling story of the events, people, and technology that evolved from the missile programs to the U.S. space boosters that impact every aspect of our daily lives. They also delineate the successful management techniques that produced some of the most expensive and complex systems ever developed." - Robert L. Geisler, Air Force Propulsion Laboratory (retired)"More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Florida
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
708 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8130-3178-1 (9780813031781)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2026
University Press of Florida
€29.49
Available for download
Person
J.D. HUNLEY's career as a historian has focused on the history of aerospace technology. He was named a Ramsey Fellow at the National Air and Space Museum for 2001-2002 after serving in history programs for both NASA and the U.S. Air Force. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. Now semiretired, he continues to write about the history of America's space program.