The Art of NASA: The Illustrations That Sold the Missions, Expanded Collector's Edition

The Art of NASA is a special collectors edition that includes over 200 stunning artworks commissioned by NASA to sell its missions. It features 32 pages of new material, a paper model of the Lunar Module, a rolled poster, a sheet of four postcards, and a new foreword by astronaut Tom Jones. The illustrations present 60 years of American space exploration, including landmark early missions and post-Space Race accomplishments. The text relates the stories associated with the art, such as the rare early Apollo illustrations and the cross-sections of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project docking adapter. The collection is a unique view of NASA history and a fascinating look at the art of illustration.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Motorbooks International

In this remarkable collectors' edition of "The Art of NASA," you'll embark on a captivating journey through over 200 awe-inspiring artworks commissioned by the renowned space agency. This expanded edition, complete with a paper model of the Lunar Module and a stunning poster, offers a deep dive into the world of space exploration.

Founded in 1958, NASA has always employed a dedicated team of visual artists to capture the essence of humanity's relentless pursuit to conquer the final frontier. Carefully selected from a vast archive of approximately 3,000 files, this special boxed edition presents a captivating collection of 200+ awe-inspiring illustrations.

To enhance your experience, this edition includes:
32 pages of fresh content
A meticulously crafted paper model of the Lunar Module
A rolled poster
A sheet of four postcards
A new foreword by astronaut Tom Jones

Spanning six decades of American space exploration, "The Art of NASA" showcases a remarkable array of iconic spacecraft, from space suits to capsules, landing modules to the Space Shuttle, and even more recent concepts for space planes. Each landmark mission, from Gemini to Apollo, Mercury to Mars, and beyond, is meticulously depicted in exquisite detail.

The insightful text accompanying the art provides a fascinating backdrop to these remarkable images. It delves into the stories behind the creation of these artworks, shedding light on the creative processes and the technical challenges faced by the NASA art department. For instance, the rare early Apollo illustrations offer a glimpse into what Apollo might have looked like if the landing module had never been developed. Black-and-white Gemini drawings showcase the artistry of the NASA art team, employing ink pen and rubdown Letraset textures to bring these spacecraft to life. Cross-sections of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project docking adapter reveal the Russian sensitivity about US "male" probes "penetrating" their spacecraft, leading to the androgynous "adapter" now universally used in space.

Furthermore, International Space Station cutaways showcase the vast scale of the original plan, highlighting the incredible engineering and collaboration that went into building this remarkable space station.

Whether you're a space enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about the wonders of the universe, "The Art of NASA" is a must-have edition that will transport you to the frontiers of space and ignite your imagination.

Weight: 3124g
Dimension: 318 x 362 x 47 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780760382578
Edition number: Enlarged Edition