Beyond Earth (ATWG) Acknowledgements
From The Space Library
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS by the Editors
Editing this work has been the most rewarding intellectual experience of my three careers. From the book's origin in October 2004 to the completion of the manuscript in 2006, the project rapidly gained momentum as the members of the Aerospace Technology Working Group (ATWG) engaged with one another to examine the key issues and prepare their various chapters
The impressive spectrum of diverse professional expertise that constitutes ATWG provided the perfect environment for the networking of intellectual energy, and Ken Cox provided invaluable leadership to keep this project on a continuous build.
Langdon Morris oversaw editing of all the chapters, engaging in multiple iterations with each author or author team, resulting in a remarkable clarity of thought and expression. Thomas Diegelman, co-author of Chapter 25, also volunteered his NASA expertise to document the iteration of thirty-six chapters and the multiple images for the book.
And perhaps the single most remarkable fact about a book of this complexity was that every one of the forty-two authors, including the Foreword author, Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, contributed their time and talents out of love for the subject and commitment to its underlying principles, and did so without compensation.
We realized nearly from the beginning that we were participating in a publication effort with far reaching positive implications for the global space community, and we even dare to hope that it has implications for all of humanity. It was a privilege and an education to be sharing ideas with this exceptional group of global scientists, engineers, managers, writers, professors, religious, government, and business leaders who contributed to Chapter 3, "Views of Global Leadership." It was an inspiring experience from original book idea in October 2004 to the final publication.
The Apogee Books Space Press was a pleasure to work with. Richard and Rob Godwin accepted the book on a simple premise, and throughout provided professional counsel and rapid responses to every question. Ric Connors was very helpful and innovative in the advance design and execution of multiple marketing efforts.
On the personal side, I should like to thank my wife, Sue Krone, who was an unwavering supporter and also added valuable inputs throughout the process.
Ken Cox:
I would like to honor the experience of creative collaboration that occurred between Bob Krone, Langdon Morris and myself in the editing of this book involving Earth, space and all life in the universe. We all shared a passion for frontiers, as well as a deep appreciation of history learnings of the past. Bob Krone's energy and wisdom in starting this book had a flavor of intuitive genius blended with a lifetime of strong academic experience. Langdon Morris' background as an author of multiple books provided unusual energy for synergistic interactions with the individual chapter authors. Both Bob's and Langdon's contributions were exceptional.
I would like to thank some of my mentor's within NASA as I traveled the excitement of being involved in Apollo, shuttle and station. Max Faget and John Hanaway provided me significant opportunities to work both Apollo and Shuttle. Dick Truly in his role as NASA Adminstrator encouraged me to initiate the Aerospace Technology Working Group in the early nineties. And finally, Henry Pohl absolutely was a gentleman and scholar to work for and be associated with during the shuttle/station development.
I especially would like to acknowledge and thank my wife, Kay and my son and daughter, Chris and Karen, for their long support and patience throughout my career. I can still recall the many times I called home from scenic "Downey."
Langdon Morris:
It was Bob Krone's brilliant insight to propose this book, his leadership that pulled it together, and his thoughtful editing that built its structure; it is Ken Cox's remarkable leadership of ATWG that created a forum in which so many exceptionally gifted space scientists have engaged with one another for so many years on so many fascinating topics. It has been my privilege to work with both of them in the development of this book, and with the many authors who willingly engaged in thoughtful dialog as we looked for the best way to express their insights and ideas.
I would like to acknowledge and appreciate my family, who tolerated my many long hours at the computer during the course of the many evenings of this project. Indeed, let us acknowledge all the volunteer authors for their marvelous contributions to this work, and all their family members - husbands, wives, sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers - who supported them during the many days and evenings that they dedicated to the preparation of this book.
Finally, to the readers of this book, let me say that I hope that you have as much fun reading it as we did writing it! And I hope as well that it inspires a commitment in you, a commitment to actively support the journey to space as a journey of peace and for peace, an adventure whose great potentials and benefits are manifested to support the increased well being of all of humanity. This has been our goal.
The stars, the planets, space and the vastness of the universe have captured the imagination of nearly everyone who has ever gazed into the night sky. In Part I we consider three dimensions of this impact.
Dr. Kenneth Cox describes the genesis and history of the Aerospace Technology Working Group, the organization that has sponsored this book; Langdon Morris explores the meanings of space as we begin the Third Millennium, and Martin Schwab compiles a marvelous collection of thoughts about space from world leaders in government, business, academia, and faith.
Extracted from the book Beyond Earth - The Future of Humans in Space edited by Bob Krone ©2006 Apogee Books ISBN 978-1-894959-41-4
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