Tag: Space History
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Giving Gemini its due: Jeffrey Kluger honors the forgotten NASA program in new book (exclusive interview)
Introducing a forgotten chapter of space history Jeffrey Kluger, the acclaimed author behind Apollo 13’s enduring retellings, returns with a new book that reframes NASA’s Gemini program as a crucial bridge between early rocketry and the Moon landing. In an exclusive interview, Kluger argues that the ten crewed Gemini missions, flown in 1965 and 1966,…
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Giving Gemini Its Due: Jeffrey Kluger Honors NASA’s Overlooked Gemini Program in New Book
Introduction: A Forgotten Step in the Moon Landing Story When the history of NASA’s moon mission era is told, the spotlight often lands on Apollo 11 and the Moon landing in July 1969. Yet behind that historic leap lies Project Gemini, a two-year sprint of innovation, testing, and resilience. In a new book and an…
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Giving Gemini its due: ‘Apollo 13’ author Jeffrey Kluger honors ‘forgotten’ NASA program (exclusive interview)
Jeffrey Kluger shines a light on Project Gemini In a new exploration of NASA’s early space efforts, Jeffrey Kluger, the author best known for the Apollo 13 narrative, turns his attention to Project Gemini. The forgotten mid-1960s program, which bridged the gap between Mercury-era missions and the iconic Apollo landings, is the focus of his…
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Archaeology in Space: What 25 Years of ISS Teaches Us About Living and Working Off Earth
Introduction: A New Kind of Archaeology The International Space Station (ISS) has been humanity’s long-running orbital laboratory for a quarter of a century. While most people associate archaeology with ancient ruins on Earth, a growing field of space archaeology looks at how crewed missions, habitats, and workflows leave traces—both material and procedural—on living in microgravity.…
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To the Moon, Alice: Reflections on the Early Race to Space and What It Means Today
Introduction: A Glimpse Back at the Pioneers The early days of space exploration were defined by audacity, precision, and a willingness to accept the unknown. From John Glenn’s historic orbit to the bravado and doubt that surrounded every launch, the era forged a template for what it means to pursue a goal that others deem…
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Seiko Reissues the Iconic Rotocall: A Nostalgic 1980s Space Shuttle Watch Returns
Seiko Brings Back a Space-Age Favorite Seiko is leaning into space-age nostalgia with the 2025 reissue of the Rotocall, the multifunction digital/analog watch that earned a place in NASA’s spaceflight folklore. Retaining the original 37 mm case size, Hardlex crystal, and the distinctive bezel-operated function selector, the new Rotocall honors its eighties roots while delivering…
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From Communion to Cognac: The History of Alcohol in Space
Introduction: A surprisingly longstanding space tradition Alcohol in space is a topic that sounds like folklore, yet it sits at the intersection of culture, science, and endurance. From the first ceremonial sips of communion wine on lunar missions to the rumored secret stashes aboard space stations, the history reveals how human rituals adapt when life…
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The only humans to die in space: Inside the Soyuz 11 mission
Introduction: A historic mission with a devastating turn In June 1971, the Soviet Union achieved a milestone that had long captivated humanity: the launch of the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. Three cosmonauts—Georgi Dobrovolsky, Viktor Patsayev, and Vladislav Volkov—boarded the Soyuz 11 spacecraft to live and work aboard the station for about three weeks.…
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The Soyuz 11 Tragedy: The Only Humans to Die in Space and a Turning Point in Space Safety
Introduction: A Historic Mission Turns Tragic The Soyuz 11 mission stands as one of the most sobering chapters in the history of human spaceflight. In June 1971, three Soviet cosmonauts—Georgi Dobrovolsky, Viktor Patsayev, and Vladislav Volkov—embarked on a pioneering 23-day mission to Salyut 1, the world’s first space station. Their journey symbolized the promise of…