Common Themes

NASA turns 50 on October 1st, and in celebration, they’ve announced today their release of a new artbook, covering 50 years of space art as commissioned by our space program.

In 1962, four years after NASA was founded, Administrator James E. Webb recognized space exploration would make a profound cultural impact, in addition to advancing science and technology. He established the NASA Art Program to commission pieces from prominent artists that would illustrate and interpret the space agency’s missions.

NASA/ART: 50 Years of Exploration is available for pre-order @ Amazon, and some of the art will be on exhibition over the next few years around the country. (I hope a museum on the West Coast picks it up! Colorado’s too far for me.)

Artists, like astronauts, constantly probe the unknown. Shortly after its establishment in 1958, NASA created the NASA Art Program on the principle that artists are uniquely equipped to interpret and document the experience of space exploration.

One of the ways I spend my time is by devouring books whole reading science fiction (and fantasy.) I’ve always leaned toward the space opera camp in sci-fi, and although I’m not finished with it yet (at over 900 pages, I’m sure you’ll forgive me), I can heartily recommend The Space Opera Renaissance, edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer. This book is a blow-by-blow survey of the development of space opera, what it meant when it started (not what you’d think!), what it means now, and the best examples of every era. What I find unique is that it also includes a few parodies of the sub-genre, like Clive Jackson’s The Swordsmen of Varnis (the ending lives on as a visual gag in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark), commentary on what these authors were going for, and in some cases, how the parody caused a resurgence of interest in space opera.

Stories range from a few pages to over 100 pages in length, and the book offers a broad spectrum of authors, from forefathers of science fiction to present-day greats. It’s a great way to dabble in the sub-genre, and find new authors to read. (There’s also a lovely hardcover edition, if you’re interested.)

U.S. Human Spaceflight: A Record of Achievement, 1961-2006 is a monograph from NASA’s History Division, covering every human spaceflight mission from Mercury 1 on. Download the PDF here, or write for a free paper copy:

U.S. Human Spaceflight: A Record of Achievement, 1961-2006 (Monograph in Aerospace History No. 41) was compiled by Judith A. Rumerman and updated by Chris Gamble and Gabriel Okolski. This handy and richly illustrated reference work is an updating of the similarly titled Monograph 9 that was published in 1998. Interested readers may obtain a free copy of this monograph by sending a self-addressed, stamped 9×12″ envelope ($2.84 domestic first-class postage for 13 ounces) to the NASA Information Center, NASA HQ, Washington, DC 20546 or by coming in person to the NASA History Division in room CO72 of NASA Headquarters.

A gift from Etherbrian, this collection of 1950s Spanish sci-fi novel covers is both fascinating and highly amusing. Great stuff.

Another Tor.com FREE wallpaper; I chose to feature another one this week because, well, I _REMEMBER_ this edition of OMNI Magazine and I always liked the art. As of Friday May 30 it is no longer available for download; click here for a zip of all sizes (1.25 Mb.)

About the artwork:

Gregory Manchess’ painting for Omni Magazine, from the 1980’s. See more from this artist at http://manchess.com