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To the End of the Solar System: The Story of the Nuclear Rocket (Apogee Books Space Series)

To the End of the Solar System: The Story of the Nuclear Rocket (Apogee Books Space Series)
By James A. Dewar

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Product Description

Jargon-free and ideal for scientists and laypersons alike, this study is a comprehensive history and analysis of nuclear rocket propulsion systems. Detailing a two-decade period—spanning the 1950s through parts of the 1970s—by profiling the U.S. government’s Rover and NERVA programs, a complete history of the development of nuclear propulsion capabilities for space exploration is provided. Eyeing future possibilities, this reference identifies the technological requirements necessary to perform the deep space missions now being planned by NASA and presents a discussion on the political and social issues surrounding nuclear rocket development.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #943866 in Books
  • Published on: 2008-01-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 264 pages

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James A. Dewar worked exclusively on nuclear affairs in the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies, the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Atomic Energy Commission. He lives in Oxford, Maryland.

Customer Reviews

Definitive Narrative History5
Six million horsepower from a reactor the size of a 55 gallon drum. This was the promise of the ultimate in all-American 60's muscle - the nuclear thermal rocket engine. With it, you could send jumbo jet sized payloads to the Moon, or send a crew to Mars in 3 months.

James A. Dewar's exhaustively researched work (there are 91 pages of footnotes) shows both the technical and political sides of the 18 year effort to develop the nuclear rocket. Like the space program itself, the nuclear rocket program was a creature of the Washington political process.

While lacking the polish of a David McCullough, Dewar does a good job of introducing the cast of characters and their competing visions for America's technologic and social future.

Dewar's thesis is that the nuclear engine was feasible and would have revolutionized space travel, boosting mankind into a 2001 Space Odyssey. I found his viewpoint to be refreshing, especially in contrast to the dour visions of historians such as Richard Rhodes. He devotes Appendix D of the book to "safety and environmental aspects of testing."

Perhaps the most poignant vision one gets from reading the book is that of the turning of a page in American history. With the end of Apollo and the nuclear engine project in 1973 we go from an era of limitless promise, to an era of sharply limited outcomes.

History in Limbo5
To The End of the Solar System is an excellent primer on the nuclear rocket -- the history that might have been, and still waiting to be. It is a story even avid spaceflight fans may not have heard. Dewar presents a very readable account of the visionary engineers, project managers, and politicians who developed the first nuclear thermal rockets. The narrative covers the politics and engineering (with supplementary appendices) without being overwhelming. It explains why the nuclear rocket is superior to chemical engines, yet why the world failed to embrace it. The technology has lain dormant for decades, but is quietly making a revival in NASA's project Prometheus and elsewhere. Learn where it all started and where it's going; read To The End of the Solar System. It is well worth the price of admission.

historical aspect in rocketry5
Excellent book... a must read for anyone interested in space propulsion technology which needs a 'second look' to enable humans to bridge our Solar System in the future.