Jay Gallentine - Ambassadors from Earth: Pioneering Explorations with Unmanned Spacecraft (Outward Odyssey: A Peoples History of Spaceflight)

Acknowledgments

How wrong I was to ever consider the writing of this book to be a solo effort. So many wonderful people have so unselfishly contributed to the project.

To my loving wife, Anne, provider of endless understanding and support during the slow years of compiling information, who put up with constant probe talk and let me go enough to get this thing done. I love you to the ends of the solar system. To my sons Ben and Matt, you guys are my heroes, and I am distinctly privileged to spend a lifetime being your dad.

To the publisher, the University of Nebraska Press: Gary Dunham, Rob Taylor, Sara Springsteen, Elisabeth Chretien, Ray Boucheall are magnificent folks who have been of immense help. Thanks for having me do this book!

To Colin Burgess, author extraordinaire. Through endless e-mail exchanges, he coached me through a million little day-to-day issues. Colin, thanks so much!

Jeremy Hall skillfully polished the text with his professional copyedit.

To all of my interview subjects, who gave selflessly of their time and memories and helpful feedback for the sake of history. Without you all, there are no ambassadors; there is no story. Nearly every one reviewed the manuscript sections that involved themselves and were kind enough to make corrections, offer feedback, and add valuable personal anecdotes. In particular, Charley Kohlhase went way beyond the call of duty. He was kind enough to critique the entire work from start to finish and help me chase down the seemingly endless factual concerns. James Van Allen initially refused an interview, only to later set aside three priceless days to receive me in his office for one of the most memorable chats I might ever have. Robert Cesarone assisted me with the intricate machinations of spacecraft trajectories and supplied personal materials relating to his work and the directions that Voyagers 1 and 2 are headed. Michael Minovitch, at his own ex pense, sent me box after box of primary source documents related to his work at Ucla and Jpl, along with many photographs. Thank you! Candice Hansen reviewed the Voyager section, pointed out some inconsistencies, and added warm stories. Jim Burke, George Ludwig, Charley Kohlhase, Bud Schurmeier, Candy Hansen, Anita Sohus, Michelle Thomsen, and Jon Lomberg graciously dug through their personal photographic collections to provide readers with seldom-seen imagery.

Introduction

If the neighborhood has already gone to bed, then it's easier for stargazing. Or for checking up on things, which is what learned men do. So on balmy summer nights in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Gary Flandro sometimes wanders outside after a good day and sights up his thumb at the darkened sky.

A select few constellations always get the man's attention, and he knows right where they are... not a lot of searching involved. Gary's thumb extends in the general direction of the Serpent Handler, which makes for something of an arresting choice of nicknames. Astronomers describe this faint stellar grouping as Ophiuchus, a fairly ancient member of the skies. It's snuggled between Hercules and Sagittarius and is typically not the first constellation on the tip of anyone's tongue. Except maybe Gary's.