NASA has endured a fair amount of scrutiny since its conception in the late 1950s. From its dramatic launch of John Glenn into space to the tragic Challenger and Columbia explosions, the space agency has experienced its share of highs and lows in the public eye. But with the launch this month of “Escaping Gravity: A Look Inside the Space Program of NASA”, the agency is receiving a brutally honest and revealing look at its history, culture, and warts and all.
In author Michael J. Acosta’s recently released book, he not only provides readers with an inside glimpse of NASA’s mission and goals, but he also examines the unavoidable criticisms that have followed the agency for decades. From its ambitious promise of a manned mission to Mars to its inevitable budget cutbacks, Acosta doesn’t shy away from taking a hard look at the organization.
Inside the book is a passionate look at NASA’s successes, failures, and the people who made both possible. For those interested in science and space exploration, “Escaping Gravity” is an absorbing and engrossing narrative. Rarely have the men and women of NASA been so openly revealed, and it’s refreshing to get an inside perspective of this space exploration giant that so often gets overlooked.
Acosta also provides a detailed overview of the agency’s projects and directives, describing exactly how the organization functions and providing insight into the organization’s culture. By looking at the design process, technology improvements, and risks the organization takes, it’s clear that Acosta is an expert on the inner workings of NASA.
Overall, “Escaping Gravity” offers an unprecedented level of truth and understanding when examining one of the world’s most impressive feats of engineering: space exploration. Despite the ups and downs experienced by the agency over the years, it’s reassuring to know that through the hard work of dedicated individuals like Acosta, a vision for space exploration and human advancement remains alive and thriving.
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