Hello Folks,

I am pleased to announce the general availability of "Ambassadors from Earth". This is a nontechnical and lighthearted review of the early and often left-footed days of unmanned space exploration. It covers Sputnik I through the Voyager 2 Neptune Encounter.

I have to offer many original interviews, including James Van Allen, George Ludwig, Jim Burke, Charley Kohlhase, Bud Schurmeier, and Charles Sonett, among others. I have many previously unpublished pictures. I have excerpts of Ludwig's personal journal from the Explorer I-IV days, never seen in print before now. I also offer an in-depth examination of the whole "Flandro/Minovitch" controversy, including original interviews with both of those gentlemen.

You can find out more at:
http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/product/A...rth,674133.aspx

For part of the last five years, I've wondered if it would stand the test of the UMSF'ers. Please let me know what you think!


Sincerely,
Jay Gallentine

Congrats Jay on a superb book, in fact the fifth book in the Outward Odyssey – A People’s History of Spaceflight series ...
Looking forward to my copie and it's great to know that a follow-up book on post-1977 unmanned spaceflight missions is already in works

Got it in the mail today ... guess that will add a few more days where no work gets done

Hello Daniel, many sincere thanks for your interest in this book. Do let me/us know if you have any comments or concerns!

Jay Gallentine

Hi Jay. I certainly will ... just need to find some time to read the book first

My copy arrived today, it looks like a great and fun read from a quick flip through

Just got back from vacation, and my copy was waiting in the mailbox...looks like it's chock full o' goodies, looking forward to a good read!

Good EDL here as well, great to hold this great volume for which we have been waiting so long. Congratulations Jay!

My copy landed here in France today. It looks like a very nice book, and from what I remember from the drafts, it should be a great read too! I will read it as soon as I finish the one I am reading now (a very nice French biography of Leverrier)

Great to hear your copies have landed, and Philip thanks for the fun picture.

Sure hope you enjoy!
Jay Gallentine

Just wanted to say that I'm 75% through it....great behind-the-scenes stories, Jay, extremely illuminating! Lots of "ah-ha!" moments, terrific context for understanding the history of the early days of UMSF.

nprev, thanks so much for weighing in with your comments. I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying the read!

Favorite part so far?

Thanks,
Jay Gallentine

Korolev's saga is fascinating, probably because I knew very little about him. The story of Ranger is comi-tragic, and the overall US turf wars of the time clearly set a number of precedents that still hold true today... (I know several people who really need to read this book.)

Very interesting to hear your comments nprev; thanks much.

The story of Ranger just keeps going and going - I had to cut out approximately 30% of what I originally drafted up on it. Could be a whole book just by itself. The saga would make a great movie. It's got politics, personalities, drama, and adventure. Thankfully, Burke and Schurmeier are still around and were happy to talk about it. I would have loved to get Oran Nicks' perspective, but I think Charles Sonett more than covered the Nicks-ian view of things.

Here's hoping the last 25% is also interesting to you!
Jay Gallentine

I just ordered my copy today and look forward to reading it.

Jay I enjoyed the book, thank you

Indeed, a wonderful book, but in my humble opinion, Jay should come up with a better title for the follow-on book:
Seekers of wonder

Hi Folks, glad to hear that people are enjoying it. And yes, I am getting some rather negative reviews of the second book title. Any suggestions are welcome - I've even got a contest going over on CollectSpace for a better book title, with the winner receiving a free signed copy of Ambassadors.

Jay Gallentine

You got a direct link, Jay? I was just over there & couldn't find it.

Click Messages, subforum "Publications and Multimedia" with topic Seekers of Wonder
http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/001644.html

Waiting on my Collectspace registration:

From Planets to Places: The second age of space exploration

Like your title, Richard; it has both dignity & resonance. (Phil, thanks for the link!)

Okay, I'll play: Automated Astronauts: The unmanned exploration of the Solar System

Just finished reading my copy and I'd like to add one more voice to the chorus of approval.

Many thanks to all of your for your kind replies. I'm so glad to hear that it is being enjoyed! Thanks for posting.

Jay Gallentine

Howdy everyone,

For anyone in the Minneapolis area, Border's Book Shop in Minnetonka will be hosting a book launch party for Ambassadors on Saturday, February 13th, from 2-4pm. I'll read a few excerpts, we'll do some Q&A, and inhale unhealthy quantities of snacks.

Please come if you are able!

If you need more information, please let me know. Thanks!

Jay Gallentine

I've not seen this mentioned on the forum, but it definitely should be.

Belated congratulations to Jay; "Ambassadors" won the 2009 Emme Award!!!

Very well deserved.

Thank you VERY much, nprev!

Yes, it's true. When the AAS called I said, "Are you sure you've got the right guy?!" I frankly could not believe it. I looked at the list of other recipients and it's very humbling to think that I might be worthy of joining their ranks.

My wife and I attended the awards ceremony last month at Cape Canaveral. In particular, I greatly enjoyed meeting THE Jim Burke for the very first time! (Picture is attached) And at the podium, I made sure to thank, by name, the wonderful people - including a few UMSF'ers - who assisted me during the writing.

And now it's back to Book Two!

Jay Gallentine

On January 10th of this year, I was served with papers indicating that Michael Minovitch had filed suit against me in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. His Causes of Action were the following:
- Libel
- Slander of Title
- Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage
- Misappropriation of Right of Publicity
- Unfair Competition
- Declaratory Relief

Dr. Minovitch demanded a jury trial on the above-named charges. He sought to halt publication of Ambassadors from Earth and, in his words, "Disgorge me of my ill-gotten gains." He wanted a large settlement, along with a determination by the court of who actually 'invented' gravity assist.

In addition to myself, he also sued Caltech (in their entirety), along with 'John Does No. 1-20' whom, he alleged, were un-named co-conspirators, along with myself, in a plot to deny him 'official credit' for the invention of gravity-assist propulsion. I had thirty days to respond or he could petition the court for a default judgement against us.

A couple days before the deadline, both Caltech and myself did submit responses and request hearings.

On February 26th, Dr. Minovitch voluntarily dismissed the case. I am now back to writing.

This has made for an interesting start to the year!

Presented without comment:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Gravity_...eous_discussion

Charles Kohlhase on the development of gravity assist --

http://charleysorbit.com/completerocketsci...pter3/part3.php

pp.79-85