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This week's test of a Trident-II D5 missile from the 

 captured the attention, and imagination, of those who were able to see it on the west coast. 

This weekend's reads are all about those massive machines we use when we want to leave the atmosphere. Learn about the race to carry astronauts to space by 2017, the missile test of the USS Kentucky and the stumbles of rocket science.


In the early days of manned space flight for both the U.S. and the USSR, the path outside the atmosphere meant a tiny capsule containing the astronauts was strapped to the top of ballistic missiles. 

The Mercury astronauts used Redstone and Atlas missiles, and the Gemini program used Titan missiles. The creation of the 

 for the Apollo program meant that astronauts would not ride atop rockets that had been designed first to carry nuclear warheads.

Navy launches second test missile off Southern California coast


When U.S. ballistic missile submarines finish a long resupply and refurbishment in dry dock, they test their missile launch systems. 

The U.S. Navy does not usually announce these tests, which often catch the public by surprise, as this week's test did. The view was particularly striking because the missile's path took it out of the Earth's shadow, which illuminated the missile's exhaust plume. 

As Orbital seeks to fly again, new photos of its dramatic crash last year

Harnessing the power necessary to lift us above the sky has never been done without setbacks and stumbles. In 2014, a rocket built by Orbital ATK suffered a failure during launch and this week NASA released amazing images of it.

Command and Control: Nuclear weapons, the Damascus accident, and the illusion of safety


In "Command and Control", journalist Eric Schlosser chronicles the history of the U.S. ballistic missile program that marched hand in hand with the development of manned space flight. 

Interspersed with larger history, Schlosser tells the story of the "Damascus Incident," when a nuclear-tipped Titan missile exploded in its missile silo in 1980. 

The space race has moved from nation states to corporate competition; Boeing vs. SpaceX

Since the end of the space shuttle program, the U.S. has lacked a space launch system capable to delivering astronauts to orbit and the International Space Station, instead relying upon the Russian Soyuz program. Corporations are racing to fill that gap as NASA develops the systems for reaching Mars. 

• A 12-minute NASA sizzle reel of U.S. manned space flight

History of US Manned Space Flight, from Alan Shepard to STS-26 "Return to Flight" 1988 NASA

Science

William Lager

Author

This week: The race to carry astronauts into space by 2017, the missile test of the USS Kentucky, and the stumbles of rocket science.

NASA | Joel Kowsky

By a stroke of dumb luck my friend Abe and myself were on slacker hill shooting timelapse photography of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can see the missile enter the frame from the upper right hand corner. We noticed the object immediately and I stopped my timelapse to record some video. What a crazy evening!

Official Statement:
“Navy Strategic Systems Programs conducted scheduled Trident II (D5) missile test flight at sea from USS Kentucky, an Ohio Class SSBN, in the Pacific Test Range off the coast of Southern California. The tests were part of a scheduled, ongoing system evaluation test. Launches are conducted on a frequent, recurring basis to ensure the continued reliability of the system. Each test activity provides valuable information about our systems, thus contributing to assurance in our capabilities.

The missile was not armed. Strategic Systems Programs does not routinely announce missile testing. Information regarding the test launch of Trident II (D5) missiles is classified before the launch.”



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How we leave the atmosphere: Your weekend reading list

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