Tracing the history of the many imaginative, and often prescient, attempts to solve this problem also reflects the history of technology, science, astronomy, and engineering. Virtually every spaceship concept invented since 1500, as well as selected events important in developing the idea of extraterrestrial travel, is listed chronologically. The chronological entries allow comparisons between actual astronautical events and speculative ventures. They also allow comparisons between simultaneous events taking place in different countries. They reveal connections, influences, and evolutions hitherto unsuspected.
Every entry is accompanied by at least one illustration.
Nearly every spacecraft concept is illustrated with a schematic drawing. This allows accurate comparisons to be made between designss, to visualize differences, similarities, and influences. This text will be of interest to students of astronautical history, and also to model builders who would be interested in the schematic diagrams. Science fiction fans as well as aviation history buffs and historians of science will also find this book to be fascinating. The unique collection of illustrations makes it a visually attractive and very interesting history of the spaceship.