1950s Destination: Space Popular Mechanics Book John L. Russell Rockets mission

Hey space cadets and history enthusiasts! I've got a real gem here – a vintage 1950s paperback book called 'Destination: Space' written by John L. Russell, Jr. and put out by the good folks at Popular Mechanics Press. This thing is chock-full of the kind of wide-eyed wonder that defined the dawn of the space age, right around the time Sputnik was beeping and everyone was scrambling to catch up. Inside, you'll discover the fascinating history of rockets, from ancient times right up to the mighty V-2 and beyond. Then it dives deep into military missiles – think surface-to-surface rockets like the Army's Lacrosse, Little John, Dart and Redstone, the Air Force's Atlas ICBM with its powerful engines, and the Thor missile ready for overseas deployment. There are awesome photos of launches billowing smoke and flame, close-ups of gantries and service towers, and even diagrams showing how these beasts worked. But it doesn't stop at war machines. There's a whole section on escaping into space, featuring experimental craft like the X-2 and X-15 that pushed the limits of altitude and speed, with detailed illustrations of cockpits, controls, reaction motors, and life support systems for those brave pilots. Space medicine gets its due too, talking about what happens to the human body without gravity and how to keep astronauts safe and sane. The book even covers foreign missiles and has a glossary for all the technical terms. And let's not forget the adorable photos of Russian space dogs in their custom pressure suits – Malyshka and friends looking ready for anything the cosmos could throw at them. Plus, there's coverage of the Pioneer probe's launch in 1958 from Cape Canaveral and its actual flight path versus the planned one (spoiler: it curved differently but what an effort!). You'll also see telemetry teams at work and cutaway views of proposed future spacecraft. Of course, being from the era, it includes some fun contemporary ads, like one for choosing electronics training in Today's Army right next to rocket science. Condition-wise, this book has lived a full life and shows it with pride. The cover has creases, scuff marks, shiny worn spots, and edge wear from years of being handled and loved. A few pages have creases or minor tears, and one page has a more noticeable torn section, but the vast majority of the content – all those photos, diagrams, and text – remains completely intact, clear, and readable. It's got that authentic vintage patina that collectors crave. If you're into Cold War tech, early NASA history, Wernher von Braun, or just love flipping through old illustrated books that predicted our future in space, this is a must-have. It's educational, entertaining, and a fantastic snapshot of American ingenuity and optimism from over 65 years ago. The musty old-book smell is included at no extra charge! Available for local pickup in Drums, PA

 _gsrx_vers_1736 (GS 9.9.5 (1736))

Item specifics

Used - Good — Vintage paperback with cover creases, scuffs, edge wear and shiny handling marks. Some pages have creases or minor tears; one page shows significant tear/damage. All photos, diagrams and text remain clear and fully readable. — Defects: ['Cover creases and scuff marks with shiny worn areas', 'Cover edge wear and fraying', 'Minor creases on multiple pages', 'One page with significant tear or missing section', 'General age-related wear consistent with 1950s paperback']

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.