The Superpower Space Race
by Robert Reeves

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Book Reviews of The Superpower Space Race

Book Review: Good but needs more information on Mars exploration
Summary: 4 Stars

As one would expect, this book is divided into three main sections about the exploration of the Moon, Venus and Mars; however, the book is completely devoid of any information related to outer planet exploration (Jupiter and beyond) or Mercury. The first half of the book is devoted to the race to be the first country to send a robotic probe to the Moon, the first to land on the Moon and the first to orbit and the subsequent exploration that followed. During this early period of lunar exploration, due to their heavy lift launch vehicles, the Russians accomplished many first such as the first lunar impact, the first photograph of the far side and the first lunar landing. On the other hand, the US program suffered many early failures, especially with the Pioneer and Ranger series of robotic probes. Once these technical were fixed, NASA while not achieving many firsts in the robotic Moon race, did in the long run provide the most detailed robotic exploration of the moon using its upgraded Ranger, Surveyor and Lunar Orbiter space probes.

After the section on the lunar exploration, the book moves into the exploration of Venus. Unlike the exploration of the moon, the first probe to successfully to reach Venus and return useful data was Mariner 2 launched by NASA; however, much of the early scientific data about this planet was obtained by the Russian Venera probes. These probes achieved produced the first comprehensive surface maps, the first landing and the first pictures and from the surface. One unique aspect of the Russian investigation of Venus was the release of two balloons which to date are the only balloons released on any planet. In contrast to the Russian effort, the US exploration has been sparse: one low resolution radar mission, four atmospheric probes and one high resolution radar mapper. Even with this dearth of exploration on NASA's part, the most recent US mission, Magellan, has produced an extremely detailed map of Venus.

The final sections on the exploration of Mars were very short, even though the US exploration has been quite successful, with three flybys, three orbiters and two landers which have produced a mountain of data and photographs. Even though the Russians have not had a fully successful Mars mission, I felt that the author could have greatly expanded the section on Mars just using the data obtained from NASA..

All in all, this book is well researched especially when it comes to the Russian exploration of the solar system. In addition, to the text, the book also contains approximately 100 high quality photographs and lines drawings which make the book quite enjoyable and a useful reference.

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