Apollo VII-XVII - by Floris Heyne & Joel Meter & Delano Steenmeijer & Simon Phillipson & Walt Cunningham & Rusty Schweickart (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Apollo VII-XVII: Revised and Extended Edition -- A collection of photographs taken by NASA's Apollo program astronauts, 1968-1972

Apollo VII-XVII: Revised and Extended Edition is a landmark visual chronicle of one of humanity's greatest achievements: the exploration of space through NASA's Apollo missions. This newly expanded edition presents 255 powerful, often never-before-seen images, carefully curated from over 27,000 photographs taken by the astronauts themselves between 1968 and 1972.

Photography has always played a vital role in documenting human history, and few chapters are as visually compelling as the Apollo era. Fortunately, a small, daring group of astronauts, trained not only as explorers but also as photographers, captured these journeys with clarity, courage, and a distinct artistic sensibility. They brought back images that reshaped how we see ourselves: fragile lifeforms on a small, blue planet, adrift in the vast black void of space.

First published in 2018, Apollo VII-XVII was the first book to make use of NASA's newly available high-resolution scans of the original 70mm film. For this revised edition, the authors have returned to the archive to rework many of the images, add new discoveries, and further refine the visual narrative.

Every frame has been re-evaluated, digitally corrected, and meticulously restored to preserve the authenticity of the source material while enhancing its visual impact. The result is a rich, immediate encounter with the Apollo archive, restoring its full emotional and technical power.

The new edition offers an immersive visual experience that reveals more detail and depth than ever before. Thanks to high-end production values and luxurious heavier paper stock, the print quality allows the images to be reproduced with exceptional sharpness and tonal richness. It presents the Apollo archive with a level of craftsmanship that surpasses previous publications.

You'll also find newly unearthed panoramic shots, rare astronaut portraits, and a dedicated chapter on the specialized cameras and rigorous photography training developed for space--making it a treasure for both photography enthusiasts and space aficionados.

Adding further insight, two exclusive contributions from Apollo astronauts deepen the narrative. Walter Cunningham's in-depth essay, written before his passing in 2023, shares his personal story of photographing Earth from orbit aboard Apollo 7--a unique first-hand account of space photography in its earliest form. And new to this edition, Rusty Schweickart reflects on his dual role as astronaut and image-maker aboard Apollo 9, exploring the creative and philosophical dimensions of photographing space.

More than a coffee table book, this volume is a cultural artifact, a photographic record, and a tribute to one of the most transformative efforts in human history. Whether you're passionate about space, photography, design, or exploration, Apollo VII-XVII offers an unforgettable glimpse into the moment humanity first left Earth, and looked back.

Review Quotes

"Apollo VII-XVII re-frames the Apollo astronauts not just as space heroes, but as "fantastic
photographers" whose instinctive images redefined how we see Earth and ourselves. The book
presents 255 photographs taken by the astronauts, restored in striking detail. More than just
historical records, these images have become sacred relics: timeless, intuitive, and essential to
how we understand our world from above."-- "Wired"

"Apollo VII-XVII uncovers the rarely seen side of the Apollo missions, a world of candid,
improvised, and deeply human images taken by the astronauts themselves. Painstakingly
restored and beautifully printed, the book reveals the full emotional and technical range of space
exploration."-- "TIME"

"If you're into space exploration, this stunning book is pretty much a must-have. It contains
pretty much every legacy Apollo snap in one go, alongside some lesser-known pics that are just
as spellbinding."-- "BuzzFeed."

"Not just a space book. Apollo VII-XVII reveals the astronaut as an artist. The authors of Apollo
VII-XVII have turned NASA's vast Apollo archive into a curated, beautifully restored experience
that redefines these images as cultural touchstones."-- "VICE (Motherboard)"

"Photographing Earth from space was one of the most moving experiences of the mission. It
changed how I saw the planet. Taking those photos wasn't easy -- no viewfinder, no second
chances, and no way of knowing if they would even turn out. In the essay I wrote for this book, I
tried to capture that feeling. And now, seeing the same images so beautifully restored and
presented, it brings the experience full circle."-- "Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7 astronaut"

"Thanks to modern restoration techniques, the photographs in Apollo VII-XVII have been brought
to stunning clarity, allowing us to revisit the Moon missions with fresh eyes. But these are more
than technical achievements or historical records. They are emotional artifacts that preserve the
wonder, courage, and fragility of humanity's first steps into the unknown."-- "CNN"

"The images in my head are vivid and permanent, but they can't be shared. No photograph can
capture the silence, the scale, the awe. And yet, the photographs in this book come as close as
any ever will. They give history context, and they bring the mission back to life."-- "Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 9 Lunar Module Pilot"

"This beautifully produced book is a dramatic evocation of humanity's greatest odyssey, captured
in startling color--fiery launches, spacecraft interiors, and the blue Earth rising over lunar plains. A
vivid reminder of how far we came in just a decade."-- "The Guardian"

"This is THE book for any lovers of the space program, photography and general interest in space.
Incredible collection of images and beautifully curated."-- "Benedict Redgrove, NASA Photographer"