Happy birthday to me! In celebration of the second anniversary of my Jack Benny birthday, here's my gift to you: a quick stop press of some recent military space endeavors, with a side of jocular sarcasm. You may remember a certain Dr. Von Braun, formerly of the German Third Reich, lately of the Army Ballistic … Continue reading [Feb. 21, 1960] A birthday treat (A Tale of Two Space Programs)
Greetings from sunny Orlando, Florida! I know what you're thinking: why travel across the country to central Florida, which at first glance has little to offer to the tourist? Firstly, my only first cousin on my father's side lives here with her family. Secondly, Orlando is home to the Martin Marrietta manufacturing plant—and guess who … Continue reading [Nov. 10, 1959] Orlando Oranges and Space Slips
I suppose it was too much to hope for two good issues of Astounding in a row. The magazine that Campbell built is back to its standard level of quality, which is to say the bar is not very high. Still, I read the stories so you don't have to (if you don't want), so … Continue reading Less than astounding… (July 1959 Astounding; 6-23-1959)
I had planned to write about science fiction today, but then I found an article by Homer Newell, Assistant Director of Space Sciences at NASA, talking about the new stable of rocket boosters about to come into use. So, it's time for the science-fiction-into-fact column! For the first year of the Space Race, the United … Continue reading The shape of things to come! (New rockets; May 12, 1959)
In any nascent endeavor, it is human nature to trumpet even the most modest of achievements. Sure, Pioneer I didn't make it to the moon, but it went pretty high and confirmed the Van Allen Belts. Sure, Vanguard I was the size of a grapefruit, but it taught us that the Earth is pear-shaped. In … Continue reading We're Number Two! (Pioneer IV; 3-04-1959)