Creating the International Space Station - by David M Harland & John E Catchpole (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

As the most obvious man-made object in the night sky, clearly visible to the naked eye, the International Space Station is of interest to almost everyone. This is the first book to describe the technical aspects of its design and construction and details of its day-to-day operation.

Review Quotes

From the reviews:

"The first part deals with the history of Space Stations, starting with Apollo/Skylab, passing through Soyuz and finishing with Mir. The Russian missions are dealt with very well... Tables scattered throughout summarize Progress, Soyuz and Space shuttle missions. All the EVA missions carried out by astronauts are also listed... The reader is able to get a flavour of the hard work and dedication required [to create the ISS].... Would make a valuable addition to the space enthusiast's collection..."

-- ASTRONOMY NOW

"Harland and Catchpole provide a fascinating account of the scientific, technological and political roots and development of the international space station from its early designs post-Skylab through to the first space station utilisation flight with Expedition 4. ... this book is relevant for all space engineers and scientists, as a clear example of the need to work with political and financial groups and to express technical and scientific need in clear and compelling terms to achieve success." (Dr. Franz Newland, Space Operations Communicator, July-September, 2004)

"This book consists of nearly 400 pages split into thirteen chapters and a couple of appendices. It is illustrated throughout with black and white photographs that are reproduced well. ... This book would make a valuable addition to the Space enthusiast's collection, and be useful in an astronomical society's library for loan to members who have ... interest in manned space flight." (Nick Quinn, Astronomy Now, February, 2003)

"This is a comprehensive account of the events leading to the creation of the ISS, beginning in 1959 when NASA started to lobby for a space station and missions to the Moon, with the space station being the priority. ... The authors have produced an objective, thorough and minutely detailed account of the creation of ISS, written in a clear, detached style." (Helen Close, Astronomy & Space, February,2003)

"Generally, a very readable, and in places exhilarating, account. ... I found the series of photographs documenting 'the state of the ISS' after successive construction flights to be very helpful ... . The comprehensive list of 'ISS hardware' in Appendix 2, is also very useful. ... such an impressive, and potentially important, undertaking as the ISS fully deserves a lucid and comprehensive account ... . Creating the International Space Station admirably achieves this end, and deserves a correspondingly wide readership." (Ian Crawford, The Observatory, Vol. 122 (1170), 2002)

"Now for the first time, here is a comprehensive and highly readable account of the creation of the International Space Station. ... it provides a good read for the general reader and can be enjoyed on that basis." (Richard Taylor, Spaceflight, Vol. 44 (11), 2002)

"The recent release of Creating the International Space Station is a superb account of both American and international efforts ... to have a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit. The book covers in detail the creation of the International Space Station, the constant redesign phases, the politics of space and the human aspects ... . The book is profusely illustrated, has detailed appendices ... . Creating the International Space Station is an ideal book for anyone who wants to learn about the ISS." (Kate Doolan, CRCSS Space Industry News, Issue 94, 2002)

"The authors set the scene for ISS in the first nine chapters with detailed overviews of earlier space stations ... as well as the original US space station Freedom. They also give detailed accounts of the development and construction of ISS itself ... . Harland and Catchpole include a list of acronyms and descriptions of ISS launch vehicles and major hardware. ... if you are after a detailed history of ISS and what came before it, go for Harland and Catchpole's." (Liftoff, Vol. 217, 2003)