Foothold in the Heavens

Foothold in the Heavens, the second volume in the A History of Human Space Exploration series, focuses upon the 1970s, the decade in which humanity established real, longterm foothold in the heavens with the construction and operation of the first space stations. It marked a transitional phase between the heady, race-to-the-Moon days of the Sixties and efforts to make space travel more economical, more frequent and more 'routine.' Space exploration in the Seventies, although dominated by Soviet achievement, saw the first efforts of mankind to really 'live' and work in space, producing results of direct benefit to humans on Earth. The emphasis changed from the gung-ho, 'strap-it-on-and-go' pioneers of the Sixties to the more practical exploitation of space for science, medicine, and technology. This book focuses on each mission launched between April 1971 and April 1981: from the launch of the world's first space station to the end of operations of Salyut 6, and from the expanded, lengthy exploration of the Moon on Apollo 15 to the first flight of the Shuttle.

From the reviews:“‘Foothold in the Heavens: The Seventies’ is an exciting and comprehensive analysis of the history of human spaceflight. … The author covers each human mission in this narrative with comprehensive and interesting detail, but Apollo 11 is definitively the cornerstone of this volume. … ‘Foothold in the Heavens’ deserves a place in every library. … it was written with the most current insight available and gives a complete and up-to-date history of the Soyuz and Apollo era.” (Steve Adamczyk, Ad Astra, Spring, 2011)“The former Soviet Union and the US were engaged in a fierce space race to the moon. Space writer Evans … covers this fascinating era of space exploration, focusing more on American efforts. … The book provides extensive detail on the Apollo program from Apollo 11, the first human lunar landing, to the last flight to the moon (Apollo 17). … Includes many interesting black-and-white illustrations. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers and lower- and upper-division undergraduates.” (J. Z. Kiss, Choice, Vol. 48 (7), March, 2011)“This is a well researched engaging and comprehensive account of human space exploration in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is a highly readable record of people and events and very much concentrates on the human experience of spaceflight. Even those who are already very familiar with the golden age of space exploration will find something new in this volume. … Space historians – amateur and professional … will find this a fascinating and rewarding read.” (Mark Stewart, Spaceflight, Vol. 53 (8), August, 2011)“Ben Evans has ambitiously set out to produce a five-volume history of human spaceflight, of which Foothold in the Heavens is the second volume. … It is obvious from the level of detail in the 524 pages of text that the book’s target audience is spaceflight history aficionados … .” (James A. Vedda, Quest, Vol. 18 (4), 2011)“This is a well-written, gripping, and engrossing story. Evans’ account is also thorough, detailed, and knowledgeable. Anyone with even the vaguest interest in what was surely the greatest adventure of mankind in the last century will benefit hugely from reading this book. Evans has concentrated on the human side of space exploration. And the bravery, single-mindedness, and dedication of the astronauts and cosmonauts shine out from every page.” (Carole Stott, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1224), October, 2011)

Ben Evans is an accomplished and experienced space writer ideally qualified to chronicle the epic story of human space exploration. In addition to writing five books for Springer-Praxis, including the first book in this series: Escaping the Bonds of Earth: The Fifties and Sixties. He has published numerous space and astronomy related articles in such journals as Spaceflight, Countdown, and Astronomy Now.