The long space age : the economic origins of space exploration from Colonial America to the Cold War / Alexander MacDonald.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

MacDonald, Alexander C., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration--History.

United States.

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Manned space flight--Economic aspects.

Manned space flight.

Astronautics--Economic aspects.

Astronautics.

Astronautics--United States--History.

History.

Astronautics and civilization.

Space tourism.

Cold War--Economic aspects--United States.

Cold War.

United States--History--20th century.

Outer space--Exploration--Economic aspects--United States.

Outer space.

Physical Description:

xi, 258 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, [2017]

Summary:

An economic historian argues that privately funded space exploration is not a new development, but a trend beginning with the astronomical observatories of the nineteenth century Over the last half-century there has been a rapid expansion in commerce off the surface of our planet. Nations and corporations have placed hundreds of satellites that provide billions of dollars' worth of communications, scientific, global positioning, and commercial services, while construction has been completed on humanity's ninth and largest space station. On the planet itself, government agencies, corporations, and individuals plan for the expansion of economic development to the lunar surface, asteroids, and Mars. The future of space exploration seems likely to include a mix of large government funded missions as well as independent private-sector missions. 'The Long Space Age' examines the economic history of American space exploration and spaceflight, from early astronomical observatories to the International Space Station, and argues that the contemporary rise of private-sector efforts is the re-emergence of a long-run trend not a new phenomenon.

Contents:

1 Piety, Pioneers, and Patriots: The First American Observatories 12

2 Public Spirit and Patronage: American Observatories 54

3 Spaceflight, Millionaires, and National Defense: Robert Goddard's Fund-Raising Program 105

4 In the Eyes of the World: The Signaling Value of Space Exploration 160.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780300219326

0300219326

OCLC:

959034443