Further Resources
Interested in looking further into the early days of space flight? Here is a collection of readings to expand your knowledge of the Space Race between the US and Russia, women fighting for space, and more!
Wernher Von Braun
The linked PBS article discusses the complicated legacy of Wernher von Braun, one of the most important figures in early space flight. The article explains how von Braun helped develop Germany’s V-2 rockets during World War II while working under the Nazi regime. Although he later became a leading engineer for NASA and played a major role in developing the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo missions, his earlier involvement with the Nazi Party and SS remained controversial.
Alt Text: Black and white photo of Braun as a young man.
Click photo to access free PBS article.
Fighting for Space: Two Pilots and Their Historic Battle for Female Space Flight
by Amy Shira Teitel
This dual biography of audacious trailblazers Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb presents these fascinating and fearless women in all their glory and grit, using their stories as guides through the shifting social, political, and technical landscape of the time.
Alt Text: Book cover of Fighting for Space
Space Race: The Epic Battle between America and the Soviet Union for Dominion of Space
By Deborah Cadbury
Deborah Cadbury’s extraordinary history combines action and suspense with a moving portrayal of the space race’s human dimension. Using source materials never before available, she tells a riveting story of the espionage, ambition, ingenuity, and passion behind humankind’s mind-bending voyage beyond the bounds of Earth.
Alt Text: Book Cover of Space Race. A variety of early space crafts are featured on the caver in black and white pointing towards the moon with in color US and Soviet flags.
Click book cover for link to Amazon.com.
The History of Early Space Flight 