Space (novel)
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Space is a novel by James A. Michener published in 1982.
The story begins in 1944 and covers more than 30 years in the lives of five men and their families: a German rocket scientist who worked for the Nazis, a World War II hero turned U.S. Senator, an aeronautical engineer invested with a top-secret U.S. government mission, a small-town boy turned test pilot, and a rambunctious Marine Corps aviator and astronaut.
Michener dramatizes the life experiences of these men and their families against the backdrop of the real history of the U.S. space program, depicting the postwar space race between the United States and the Soviet Union; the development of congressional funding for the space program; the early failures in the Gemini program; and the successful moon landings in the Apollo program. In a fictional postscript to history, Michener creates a last, "Apollo 18" launch to further the drama of two of his characters.
The author displays extensive knowledge about the intricacies of rocket and spacecraft systems, which he gained as a member of the Advisory Council to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1979 to 1983.
The best-selling novel was adapted into a five-part, 13-hour CBS miniseries starring James Garner. This television series aired from April 14-18, 1985 and won an Emmy award for film sound mixing.
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