SKU: 33360602371

A History of the Kennedy Space Center

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A History of the Kennedy Space CenterThis first comprehensive history of the Kennedy Space Center, NASA's famous launch facility located at Cape Canaveral, Florida, reveals the vital but largely unknown work that takes place before the rocket is lit. Though the famous Vehicle Assembly Building and launch pads dominate the flat Florida landscape at Cape Canaveral and attract 1. 5 million people each year to its visitor complex, few members of the public are privy to what goes on there

This first comprehensive history of the Kennedy Space Center, NASA's famous launch facility located at Cape Canaveral, Florida, reveals the vital but largely unknown work that takes place before the rocket is lit. Though the famous Vehicle Assembly Building and launch pads dominate the flat Florida landscape at Cape Canaveral and attract 1.5 million people each year to its visitor complex, few members of the public are privy to what goes on there beyond the final outcome of the flaring rocket as it lifts into space. With unprecedented access to a wide variety of sources, including the KSC archives, other NASA centers, the National Archives, and individual and group interviews and collections, Lipartito and Butler explore how the methods and technology for preparing, testing, and launching spacecraft have evolved over the last 45 years. Their story includes the Mercury and Gemini missions, the Apollo lunar program, the Space Shuttle, scientific missions and robotic spacecraft, and the International Space Station, as well as the tragic accidents of Challenger and Columbia. Throughout, the authors reveal the unique culture of the people who work at KSC and make Kennedy distinct from other parts of NASA.

As Lipartito and Butler show, big NASA projects, notably the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, had much to learn on the ground before they made it to space. Long before a spacecraft started its ascent, crucial work had been done, work that combined the muscular and mundane with the high tech and applied the vital skills and knowledge of the men and women of KSC to the design of vehicles and missions. The authors challenge notions that successful innovation was simply the result of good design alone and argue that, with large technical systems, real world experience actually made the difference between bold projects that failed and innovations that stayed within budget and produced consistent results. The authors pay particular attention to operational knowledge developed by KSC--the insights that came from using and operating complex technology. This work makes it abundantly clear that the processes performed by ground operations are absolutely vital to success.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: University Press of Florida
Published: 10/27/2020
ISBN: 9780813068343
Pages: 496
Weight: 1.52lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 1.00d
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SKU: 33360602371

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Joleen Kriegbaum
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice tray, good price!
Nice quality for a good price; nice size! My phone fits nicely in the phone slot (iPhone 16 plus).
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Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2026
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Dominick Franchini
Houston, US
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cracked and leather inserts werent even secured on
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Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2025
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Nancy Naigle
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice looking and perfect for organizing the entry.
I love this little valet! It looks high quality and the compartment sizes are perfect as a drop for wallet, phone, keys and coins. I use mine on the entry hall table.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2025
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Jane Hetland
Omaha, US
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Michael T
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Very nice valet tray that gives a dresser or nightstand a much nicer look, and keeps EDC organized.
We’ve been using this sandalwood valet tray (with black "leather" inserts) for about five days, and it has quickly become a favorite for keeping the dresser top organized. It sits neatly on our tallboy dresser, staying put without any sliding, which is a big plus. The tray’s size is just right. This tray is not too bulky, but spacious enough to hold keys, watch, phone, etc., basically all the stuff carried in pockets daily. The wood has a smooth, polished feel, and the stain has a beautiful color which gives it a rich, elegant look that elevates the whole setup. What stands out most are the soft, leather-like inserts lining the compartments. They add a touch of luxury and keep items like my watch from getting scratched or sliding around with a slight bump. I also appreciate the thoughtful design of the notches cut out for phone charging cables. Having those notches makes it easy to keep a phone powered up without a mess of cords. This valet tray feels well-crafted and sturdy, though I would not mind it if the compartments were a tad deeper for bulkier items like a wallet. It’s practical and looks far more refined than the plastic trays I’ve used before, and I feel it gives an excellent value for the money, given today's pricing (July 20, 2025). For anyone looking to tidy up their space with something that feels upscale yet functional, this tray is worth a look.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2025

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