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Raumfahrt-Bibliothek
Project Gemini: America in Space Series
In just two-and-a-half years, beginning in 1964, two unmanned and ten manned flights took place in the Gemini program. This program was the turning point in the space race with the USSR; from then on the Americans took the lead. Flights lasting two weeks, into the Van Allen Belt, the first extravehicular activities, rendezvous maneuvers and docking with other spacecraft—all of this was achieved by Gemini, paving the way for the more demanding moon landing program. It was not all success, however. Like almost every significant undertaking, Project Gemini also had its dramas and tragedies. All Project Gemini missions are discussed, including details on all craft and the astronauts involved. Superb color, archival images, cutaways and plans are also included.
- GenresSpaceScienceNonfiction
144 pages, Hardcover
Published March 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 27, 2019
I am covering all three books by Eugen Reichl in this review since all three (Project Mercury, Project Gemini, and Project Apollo) essentially follow the same formats and have the same positives and negatives.
These books fall some place between a pure technical overview and a light kind of recap of who was on each mission. They lean toward the technical aspect primarily because these are the stories of each phase of the space exploration program leading up to the moon landing in 1969. The astronauts, while prominent, do not play the lead roles here. Each mission itself within the larger story of each "Project" are the main characters. As such each is a wonderful narrative covering the life of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo Projects.
Yes, as has been pointed out, there are a couple of minor errors here, but I remember seeing errors in thermodynamics textbooks yet those books served very well in educating a generation of engineers, and the errors here are only important to those wanting to stand up and scream "look what I found, aren't I so smart." These books are narratives, not research or reference books for future aeronautical engineers. Hopefully these might ignite the passion of future engineers, but this won't be where they get facts or figures that will stay with them forever. So don't sweat the little, um, you know.
For those of us who remember these missions and grew up living the excitement of the space program, this will be a relatively detailed walk down memory lane and might provide some new tidbits of information. For others, this will serve as a great introduction to the tremendous work and cooperation that went into going from initial orbital flights to landing on the moon within one decade. So I recommend this to anyone who likes to read about space exploration. There are a lot of pictures, mostly ones that you may have seen before but they fit with what is being discussed. Not every book has to find some "never before seen" photos or information. Sometimes a well-told story we are familiar with is sufficient.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
These books fall some place between a pure technical overview and a light kind of recap of who was on each mission. They lean toward the technical aspect primarily because these are the stories of each phase of the space exploration program leading up to the moon landing in 1969. The astronauts, while prominent, do not play the lead roles here. Each mission itself within the larger story of each "Project" are the main characters. As such each is a wonderful narrative covering the life of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo Projects.
Yes, as has been pointed out, there are a couple of minor errors here, but I remember seeing errors in thermodynamics textbooks yet those books served very well in educating a generation of engineers, and the errors here are only important to those wanting to stand up and scream "look what I found, aren't I so smart." These books are narratives, not research or reference books for future aeronautical engineers. Hopefully these might ignite the passion of future engineers, but this won't be where they get facts or figures that will stay with them forever. So don't sweat the little, um, you know.
For those of us who remember these missions and grew up living the excitement of the space program, this will be a relatively detailed walk down memory lane and might provide some new tidbits of information. For others, this will serve as a great introduction to the tremendous work and cooperation that went into going from initial orbital flights to landing on the moon within one decade. So I recommend this to anyone who likes to read about space exploration. There are a lot of pictures, mostly ones that you may have seen before but they fit with what is being discussed. Not every book has to find some "never before seen" photos or information. Sometimes a well-told story we are familiar with is sufficient.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via Edelweiss.
January 17, 2019
As with the other books in this series Eugen Reichl has created a well researched, concise and readable overview of the Gemini programme. Once again however the editing / translation from the original German text lets the book down, and this is a real pity as there are some glaring errors that jar heavily when reading.
Overall however thoroughly enjoyable and well worth the effort.
Overall however thoroughly enjoyable and well worth the effort.
January 20, 2017
'Project Gemini' by Eugen Reichl is a great look at the Gemini program. It's packed full of facts and photos of the two unmanned and ten manned missions that led directly into the Apollo program.
In the early 1960s, the US was in a race to space against the USSR. The feeling was that we were losing. The Gemini Program was supposed to test and lead the way to putting a man on the moon, a goal stated by President Kennedy. The book talks about prototypes and the kinds of problems that might be faced. Ideas that were tested and never came about like the Parawing are discussed. This was a deployable chute like a hang-glider that would bring the capsule safely back to Earth. The problem is that it never worked right. The problems with early space walks are discussed. Training on the ground didn't prepare for the strenuous conditions in space. The astronaut teams and backups are talked about. Of the 20 astronauts that flew in the Gemini program, 15 flew in the Apollo program.
What I see is the gradual testing and improvement. Things that didn't work got scrapped. Things that did work got improved or further tested. The bravery of these pilots to try this goes unstated, but is apparent when you think about being the first to step outside of a spaceship with not much tethering you to the capsule that is supposed to take you home.
The book has charts of stats for each mission: type of rocket, duration of mission, launch and landing sites, etc. Also included are wonderful photos of the people and machines. At only 144 pages, I'm amazed at how inclusive this felt. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
In the early 1960s, the US was in a race to space against the USSR. The feeling was that we were losing. The Gemini Program was supposed to test and lead the way to putting a man on the moon, a goal stated by President Kennedy. The book talks about prototypes and the kinds of problems that might be faced. Ideas that were tested and never came about like the Parawing are discussed. This was a deployable chute like a hang-glider that would bring the capsule safely back to Earth. The problem is that it never worked right. The problems with early space walks are discussed. Training on the ground didn't prepare for the strenuous conditions in space. The astronaut teams and backups are talked about. Of the 20 astronauts that flew in the Gemini program, 15 flew in the Apollo program.
What I see is the gradual testing and improvement. Things that didn't work got scrapped. Things that did work got improved or further tested. The bravery of these pilots to try this goes unstated, but is apparent when you think about being the first to step outside of a spaceship with not much tethering you to the capsule that is supposed to take you home.
The book has charts of stats for each mission: type of rocket, duration of mission, launch and landing sites, etc. Also included are wonderful photos of the people and machines. At only 144 pages, I'm amazed at how inclusive this felt. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
May 13, 2016
An intellectual challenge, with many technical and scientific details, but also with some interesting insights about the daily scientific space life during the Cold War. I felt more than once that I need some extra research, including terminologically.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher via NetGalley.com in exchange of an honest review.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher via NetGalley.com in exchange of an honest review.
March 29, 2016
This gives a concise view of Project Gemini and includes excellent color pictures of the people and crafts. A terrific resource for educators and students alike. I would recommend this for middle school and up.
Disclosure: I received a digital download of this from NetGalley.
Disclosure: I received a digital download of this from NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews