-- John Barkham Reviews

The First Lunar Outpost (FLO) is the first manned step in the accomplishment of the Space Exploration Initiative, the Vice President's directive to NASA on the 20th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing. FLO's broad objectives are the establishment of a permanent human presence on the moon, supporting the utilization of extraterrestrial resources in a long-term, sustained program. The primary objective is to emplace and validate the first elements of a man tended outpost on the lunar surface to provide the basis for: (1) establishing, maintaining and expanding human activities and influence across the surface; (2) establishing, maintaining and enhancing human safety and productivity; (3) accommodating space transportation operations to and from the surface; (4) accommodating production of scientific information; (5) exploiting in-situ resources. Secondary objectives are: (1) to conduct local, small scale science (including life science); (2) In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) demonstrations; (3) engineering and operations tests; (4) to characterize the local environment; and (5) to explore locally. The current work is part of ongoing research at the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture supporting NASA's First Lunar Outpost initiative. Research at SICSA supporting the First Lunar Outpost initiative has been funded through the Space Exploration Initiatives office at Johnson Space Center. The objectives of the current study are to further develop a module concept from an evaluation of volumetric and programmatic requirements, and pursue a high fidelity design of this concept, with the intention of providing a high fidelity design mockup to research planetary design issues and evaluate future design concepts. Bartz, Christopher and Cook, John and Rusingizandekwe, Jean-Luc Unspecified Center...

The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest man-made structure to orbit Earth and has been conducting research for close to a decade and a half. Yet it is only the latest in a long line of space stations and laboratories that have flown in orbit since the early 1970s. The histories of these earlier programs have been all but forgotten as the public focused on other, higher-profile adventures such as the Apollo moon landings. A vast trove of stories filled with excitement, danger, humor, sadness, failure, and success, Outposts on the Frontier reveals how the Soviets and the Americans combined strengths to build space stations over the past fifty years. At the heart of these scientific advances are people of both greatness and modesty. Jay Chladek documents the historical tapestry of the people, the early attempts at space station programs, and how astronauts and engineers have contributed to and shaped the ISS in surprising ways. Outposts on the Frontier delves into the intriguing stories behind the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory, the Almaz and Salyut programs, Skylab, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, Spacelab, Mir station, Spacehab, and the ISS and gives past-due attention to Vladimir Chelomei, the Russian designer whose influence in space station development is as significant as Sergei Korolev’s in rocketry. Outposts on the Frontier is an informative and dynamic history of humankind’s first outposts on the frontier of space. Purchase the audio edition.

The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest man-made structure to orbit Earth and has been conducting research for close to a decade and a half. Yet it is only the latest in a long line of space stations and laboratories that have flown in orbit since the early 1970s. The histories of these earlier programs have been all but forgotten as the public focused on other, higher-profile adventures such as the Apollo moon landings. A vast trove of stories filled with excitement, danger, humor, sadness, failure, and success, Outposts on the Frontier reveals how the Soviets and the Americans combined strengths to build space stations over the past fifty years. At the heart of these scientific advances are people of both greatness and modesty. Jay Chladek documents the historical tapestry of the people, the early attempts at space station programs, and how astronauts and engineers have contributed to and shaped the ISS in surprising ways. He delves into the intriguing stories behind the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory, the Almaz and Salyut programs, Skylab, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, Spacelab, Mir station, Spacehab, and the ISS, and gives past-due attention to Vladimir Chelomei, the Russian designer whose influence in space station development is as significant as Sergei Korolev's in rocketry. This is an informative and dynamic history of humankind's first outposts on the frontier of space.

Looks at the operations of the International Space Station from the perspective of the Houston flight control team, under the leadership of NASA's flight directors, who authored the book. The book provides insight into the vast amount of time and energy that these teams devote to the development, planning and integration of a mission before it is executed. The passion and attention to detail of the flight control team members, who are always ready to step up when things do not go well, is a hallmark of NASA human spaceflight operations. With tremendous support from the ISS program office and engineering community, the flight control team has made the International Space Station and the programs before it a success.

This fascinating 1959 report from the U.S. Army describes an unapproved plan for building a large manned military base on the moon in the 1960s. The document - in two volumes - provides many details of the plan, including launch and rocket plans and information about the base, life support, moon suits, and much more. Contents: CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION * CHAPTER II: TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PLANS * Objectives and Scope of the Study * Resume of the Technical Program * Outpost * Space Transportation System * Transportation System Integration * Communications Electronics * Launch Site * Program Logistics * Research and Development * CHAPTER III: MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS * Scope of Operations * Organization and Operational Concepts * CHAPTER IV: NON-TECHNICAL SUPPORTING CONSIDERATIONS * General * Policy * Political, Psychological, and Security Implications * APPENDIX A: POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO ACTIVITIES IN SPACE * Statements by the President of the United States * Policy Declarations by the Congress * APPENDIX B: LEGAL AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS * General * Possible Precedents * The Law of Space * Political Implications * Specific Problems * APPENDIX C: TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPPORT CAPABILITIES * Resources and Capabilities * Ordnance * Engineer * Signal * Army Medical Service * Quartermaster * Transportation * Chemical * Conclusions * * CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION * CHAPTER II: OUTPOST * Location * Design Criteria * Construction Procedure and Schedule * Medical Requirements * Personal Equipment * Life Essentials Supplies * Surface Transportation * Environmental Research and Support Activities * CHAPTER III: SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM * Flight Mechanics * Orbital Carrier and Space Vehicles * Transportation System Integration * CHAPTER IV: COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRONICS * Introduction * Communications Requirements * Surveillance Requirements * CHAPTER V: LAUNCH SITE * Requirement * General Criteria for Launch Site Selection * Launch Site Operations * Launch Facilities * Possible Equatorial Launch Sites * Christmas Island Versus Brazil * CHAPTER VI: PROGRAM LOGISTICS * Manufacturing Considerations * Transportation Considerations * Movement Control * Personnel and Administration * Operations and Training * CHAPTER VII: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT * Project Phases * Basic and Supporting Research * Program Requirements, R&D * R&D, Supporting Research, Project HORIZON * Supporting Role of Other U.S. Programs * CHAPTER VIII: PROGRAM COST AND SCHEDULE * Outpost Cost * Orbital Station * Vehicles * Payload Containers * Launch Site and Operation * Communications and Electronics System * Personnel Training * Research and Development * Program Management The introduction states: There is a requirement for a manned military outpost on the moon. The lunar outpost is required to develop and protect potential United States interests on the moon; to develop techniques in moon-based surveillance of the earth and space, in communications relay, and in operations on the surface of the moon; to serve as a base for exploration of the moon, for further exploration into space and for military operations on the moon if required; and to support scientific investigations on the moon. Initially the outpost will be of sufficient size and contain sufficient equipment to permit the survival and moderate constructive activity of a minimum number of personnel (about 10-20) on a sustained basis. It must be designed for expansion of facilities, resupply, and rotation of personnel to insure maximum extension of sustained occupancy. It should be designed to be self-sufficient for as long as possible without outside support.

There are still wild places out there on our crowded planet. Through a series of personal journeys, Dan Richards explores the appeal of far-flung outposts in mountains, tundra, forests, oceans and deserts. Following a route from the Cairngorms of Scotland to the fire-watch lookouts of Washington State; from Iceland’s ‘Houses of Joy’ to the Utah desert; frozen ghost towns in Svalbard to shrines in Japan; Roald Dahl’s writing hut to a lighthouse in the North Atlantic, Richards explores landscapes which have inspired writers, artists and musicians, and asks: why are we drawn to wilderness? What can we do to protect them? And what does the future hold for outposts on the edge?