New Horizons

New Horizons

By NASA, 42 pages US Government Printing Office

This latest NASA pamphlet is reminiscent of the colorful “Report to Stockholders” booklets which corporations distribute annually to prove that they are good investment. All taxpayers are stockholders in the United State Space program; any who read this report will become convinced that NASA is a good investment.

With more than 50 color photos (many of them full page) the pamphlet describes the many varied activities of NASA in 1974-1975. Flights to the planets, development of the Space Shuttle, plans for Viking on Mars, and another current topics are all discussed. A six page summary of the Skylab Space Station project is also included.

Early in the report the authors make the paradoxical claim that, “The Greatest discovery of the space age is the planet Earth”. Page after page of new discoveries about our land, our water, our air, and the ecosphere and general prove out that assertion. Studies of the Venusian and Martian atmospheres have improved the understanding of the complex weather patterns on Earth. Examining planets in different stages of geological development has given new insights into terrestrial geology. There are other things about Earth which can best be observed (or only observed) from space.

New Horizons. Artwork by Elena

The extent of international space cooperation is hard to appreciate, even after the Apollo/Soyuz flight last summer. For example, five out of six scientific satellites launched by NASA in 1974 were built by other countries: Italy, Holland, England, Spain and Germany. NASA also wants to remind Americans about its research on aeronautics (new airplane wings and engines) and energy (pollution free power, new auto engines and vehicle stream-lining).

No deep insights are offered, but an excellent overall view is presented. This is obviously one sided, but it is a side that is not heard often enough. General audiences who want to know what they are buying in space, and younger readers who like beautiful pictures and simple prose, will all enjoy this pamphlet

(James E. Oberg)

(Stock number 033000-00651-4; available from Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. 20402.

(Astronomy reviews, August 1976)