
Reinventing NASA
Human Spaceflight, Bureaucracy, and Politics
Roger Handberg(Author)
Praeger Publishers Inc
Published on 30. December 2003
Book
Hardback
296 pages
978-0-275-97002-4 (ISBN)
Description
From its beginnings, NASA was convinced that its real mission was to create the opportunity for a much different and better society on Earth, namely through human space flight. Pursuit of such a goal has led the agency to persist in certain activities even when they conflict with the wishes of Congress and the President. Recent changes in the international environment, changes that began well before September 11, 2001, have brought the military back into the field of human space flight, a situation that holds certain hazards for NASA since the military is more powerful politically. Dramatic changes could be in store, changes that could severely damage NASA's capacity for continuing what it sees as its primary objective.
While most analyses see the agency as riddled with incompetence, Handberg argues that NASA's troubles are a product of its internal values. He begins with an historical overview of the major themes in NASA's history, followed by chapters on specific areas of concentration, such as the space station, space transportation, space science, and internal reforms. He also discusses the long-term future of the agency and human space flight in general, both domestically and internationally.
While most analyses see the agency as riddled with incompetence, Handberg argues that NASA's troubles are a product of its internal values. He begins with an historical overview of the major themes in NASA's history, followed by chapters on specific areas of concentration, such as the space station, space transportation, space science, and internal reforms. He also discusses the long-term future of the agency and human space flight in general, both domestically and internationally.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
611 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-275-97002-4 (9780275970024)
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
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E-Book
12/2003
1st Edition
Praeger Publishers Inc
€82.49
Available for download
Person
ROGER HANDBERG is a professor of Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His research has focused on space policy, defense policy, law and courts, both American and comparative, as well as science policy with regard to public opinion. His work has appeared in six books, 145 articles, and over 130 papers and other published materials.
Content
Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations NASA and Defining the Dream In the Beginning An Imploding Agency: Post-Challenger Blues Inadvertent Political Catalyst: The Space Station Freedom Fixing Space Launch "Faster, Better, Cheaper?" Reinventing Government: Efficiency Comes to NASA Organizational Change as Goal-Directed Behavior The Future of NASA Afterword: Columbia and the Future Appendix: Outlays for Space Selected References Index