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The Planetary Report • May/June 1990
NASA—Recapturing the Spirit
On the Cover: The Space Race of the 1960s spawned a robust, energetic agency to conduct the American space program. NASA launched a series of human missions, working its way, step by step, to the Moon. On June 3, 1965, <i>Gemini</i> astronaut Edward H. White II became the first American to "walk" in space, while his orbital companion, James A. McDivitt, remained inside the two-man capsule. (Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov was the first human to "walk" in space.) The <i>Gemini</i> program served as a bridge between the <i>Mercury</i> program, which sent the original seven American astronauts into space, and the <i>Apollo</i> program, which would send three-man crews to their lunar destination.
Features
4 The Mars Balloon Relay: Jacques Blamont describes this concept mission.
9 The Key to Mars, Titan, and Beyond? Robert Zubrin explains how nuclear rockets could use indigenous propellants on other planets.
14 European Space Agency Aims High—At Mars: Agustin Chicarro discusses Europe's plans for exploring the Red Planet.
16 A Little Warmth Against the Big Chill: S. Alan Stern talks about the evolution of comets in the Oort Cloud.
18 Can NASA Still Do the Job? David F. Salisbury discusses the future of NASA with six veterans of the space agency.
Departments
3 Members' Dialogue Editorial error; a lunar observatory.
24 World Watch Lunar Observer, Mars Observer, and Japanese space efforts.
25 The Planetary Society's Family Grow New directors and advisors join our boards.
26 News & Reviews Become Venus literate.
27 Society Notes New Millennium Committee, teaming up with NSTA, and the Case for Mars IV.
28 Q&A Why is there an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter but nowhere else?
The Planetary Report • May/June 1990
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