Orders of Magnitude: A History of the NACA and NASA, 1915-1990 (Third Edition) [The NASA History Series: NASA Special Publication 4406], 1989-07-01

Item — Special Collection: MC-19, Book: 224, Call No.: TL 521.312 .B56 1989

Identifier: 20170600

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Document Type: Book (Historical Study).

Purpose: Informational.

Authority: Author Expertise.

Document Number: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Special Publication #4406.

Series: The NASA History Series

Scope: This is the third edition of Orders of Magnitude: A History of the NACA and NASA, 1915-1990. It is based on a monograph written by Eugene M. Emme and published in 1965 as Historical Sketch of NASA (NASA EP-29). First edition was written in 1976 by Frank W. Anderson, Jr. for a bicentennial volume on public works in the United States and published in 1976 as Orders of Magnitude. A second printing (with corrections) was published later in 1976. Anderson expanded and revised the book and a second edition was published in 1981 as Orders of Magnitude: A History of NACA and NASA, 1915-1980 (NASA Special Publication 4403).

From Preface: "In 1965, Eugene M. Emme, historian for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), wrote a brief survey of the agency entitled Historical Sketch of NASA (EP-29). It served its purpose as a succinct overview useful for Federal personnel, new NASA employees, and inquiries from the general public. Because people were so curious about the nascent space program, the text emphasized astronautics. By 1976, a revision was in order, undertaken by Frank W. Anderson, Jr.,publications manager of the NASA History Office. With a different title, Orders of Magnitude: A History of NACA and NASA, 1915-1980 (SP~4403), the new version gave more attention to NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), although astronautics was still accorded the lion's share of the text. After a second printing, Anderson prepared a revised version, published in 1980, which carried the NASA story up to the threshold of Space Shuttle launches. Anderson retired from NASA in 1980."

Contents (from the Table of Contents): - Foreword

- Preface

- NACA Origins (1915-1930)

- New Facilities, New Designs (1930-1945)

- Going Supersonic (1945-1958)

- On the Fringes of Space (1958-1964)

- Tortoise Becomes Hare (1964-1969)

- Aerospace Dividends (1969-1973)

- On the Eve of Shuttle (1973-1980)

- Aerospace Flights (1980-1986)

- New Directions (since 1986)

- Summary

- Bibliographic Essay

- Index

Dates

Publication: 1989-07-01

Creator

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (1958-) (Publisher, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research in the Archives & Special Collections reading room. Handling guidelines and use restrictions will be communicated and enforced by archives staff members.

Extent

1 Volume (1 book)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Format & Physical Description

Softcover perfect-bound book, 9” height x 6” depth x 0.5" thickness (178 pages including flyleaf page). Printed on semi-glossy paper. Includes black & white photographs.

Note: Overall excellent condition with slight damage to cover.

Publication Data

Published in 1989 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Management, Scientific and Technical Information Division, Washington, D.C. Third edition.

Based on Historical Sketch of NASA (NASA EP~29) originally published in 1965. First edition was written in 1976 by Frank W. Anderson, Jr. and published as Orders of Magnitude. A second printing (with corrections) was published later in 1976. Anderson expanded and revised the book and a second edition was published in 1981 as Orders of Magnitude: A History of NACA and NASA, 1915-1980 (NASA Special Publication 4403).