Manned Spaceflight Log II—2006–2012

“Manned Spaceflight Log” discusses over 40 recent spaceflights from September 2006 through September 2012, a time of great change in human spaceflight history. Following on from “Praxis Manned Spaceflight Log 1961-2006,” the authors continue the story until the end of September 2012, with new chapters detailing the development and accomplishments of human spaceflight, expanded tables and additional photographs, many in color, throughout. The book opens with a new foreword by Colonel Alfred M. Worden, USAF Retired, NASA Astronaut and CMP of Apollo 15, which reflects on the changing history of human spaceflight and the prospects for future operations.

The first chapter explains how human spaceflight has approached the different challenges of exploring space and provided the hardware to meet those challenges. This chapter also describes the various attempts  to reach orbital flight and the often confusing distinction between ballistic, sub-orbital, and so-called ‘astro-flights’ of the X-15 rocket research aircraft program. Chapter 2 recalls key historic moments and missions across five decades of human spaceflight. Each decade has provided useful lessons for the next and a foundation for future achievement. The new mission entries are collected in the third section in chronological order. A review of the next steps in human spaceflight, including plans to occupy the International Space Station well into the 2020s and the growth of the Chinese manned space program including a large space station and planned base on the Moon, is discussed in Chapter 4. The tables provide a complete up-to-date overview of human spaceflight operations and experience from April 1961 to September 2012 and a selected chronology of important milestones from those years. Completing the book is a comprehensive bibliography that lists all the major Springer-Praxis human spaceflight titles and other important works that provide the reader with a resource to continuefurther research.

Having followed spaceflight activities since 1968, David Shayler has a broad range of experience and files covering all aspects of human spaceflight history. In October 1982, he created Astro Info Service to focus on his space writing and research, with lectures and educational outreach activities. Early publications included the periodicals ‘Orbiter’ on the shuttle and ‘Zenit’ on Soviet activities, and a growing range of biographies on the world’s space explorers. In 1990 David co-created the Midland Spaceflight Society and acted as its chairman. His first book was published in 1987 and since then he has authored over 20 titles, including 13 titles in the Praxis Space Library between 2000 and 2009. He has contributed to titles on human spaceflight, including the three editions of “Who’s Who in Space” (MacMillan, 1998). Personal research has been conducted at NASA JSC in Houston, and at KSC in Florida, as well as at Rice and Clear Lake Universities and NARA archives in Texas. His research continues daily and new titles are under various stages of production, some of which are available via the AIS website (www.astroinfoservice.co.uk).

Most of Michael Shayler’s knowledge and experience connected with this proposed publication comes about through David Shayler’s work with Astro Info Service. Michael is a certified proof reader and editor, and he has been the initial proof reader and editor for David’s work for both Astro Info Service and commercial publishers since 1992, as well as working freelance for Springer-Praxis. This includes work on the title, “Women in Space” (2005), “Walking in Space” (2004), “NASA’s Scientst-Astronauts” (2007), and “Russia’s Cosmonauts” (2005). He has co-authored the Springer-Praxis book “Marswalk One” (2005). As a former member of the British Interplanetary Society, Michael was an editor and article writer for their quarterly junior publication, ‘Voyage,’ for its initialfive issues until it was taken in-house. He has conducted several lectures at educational establishments on behalf of Astro Info Service, as well as research trips to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.