The Soviet Space Race With Apollo

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Winner of the Emme Award for Astronautical Literature, this essential reference work offers a definitive English-language history of the Soviet Union's space program, spanning the first three decades. Sixteen years in the making, the detailed account by Asif Siddiqi presents a comprehensive view of the technical and political evolution of Soviet missile and space projects, serving as a vital resource for understanding the complexities of Soviet space history. This extraordinary volume not only chronicles the Soviet efforts but also explains how and why the Soviet Union initially led the world in space exploration. It is a must-have for historians interested in flight, technology, politics, and the Cold War. Readers will appreciate the intricate interactions among design bureaus and gain insight into the individuals behind the Soviet space initiatives, which are crucial for contextualizing the U.S. Apollo program. First published by NASA in 2000, this comprehensive history covers the period from the end of World War II, when the Soviets acquired German rocket technology, to the mid-1970s, when their moon program collapsed. Drawing on previously classified documents and interviews with veterans, Siddiqi's work dispels the myths surrounding the Soviet space program, providing a rich narrative complemented by rare photographs.