Star-Crossed Orbits: Inside the U.S.-Russian Space Alliance by James Oberg

Star-Crossed Orbits: Inside the U.S.-Russian Space Alliance by James Oberg

This is a detailed, investigative history of the US-Russian space relationship from a long-time NASA insider-turned commentator. Oberg describes, from the points of view of key individuals both inside and outside the programme, the strengths and weaknesses that each side has brought to the partnership, the original hopes and promises for its benefits and its triumphs and disappointments. Proficient in Russian and a frequent visitor to that country, Oberg reveals the extent of the greed, corruption and covered-up setbacks that have marked the devolution of the Soviet space programme to its recent virtual collapse. He uncovers the US-Mir venture and NASA's reluctance to learn from its lessons. Ultimately, Oberg examines the prospects for the International Space Station, a project that he believes was begun with good intentions, but is in danger of running aground. With the Russians unable (or unwilling) to build their pieces of the station, NASA must assume more and more responsibility for it in an era when their "faster, cheaper, better" philosophy is already wearing very thin. Recent losses such as the Mars Observer are nothing compared to the disasters that could befall a cheaply Oberg has extensive contacts within NASA and is considered a leading expert in the Russian space programme. While he is still enthusisastic about many of NASA's goals, he is also able to take an informed critical stance on the space programme's shortcomings.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780071407960
ISBN 10	0071407960
Title	Star-Crossed Orbits: Inside the U.S.-Russian Space Alliance
Author	James Oberg
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	McGraw-Hill Education - Europe
Year published	2002-11-16
Number of pages	352
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.