The Soviet Space Program: First Steps: 1941–1953

by Eberhard Rödel

This concise history is the first book in a new series on the Soviet space program and features many rare photographs, diagrams, and charts. When Soviet rocket experts examined the first Nazi V-2s in early 1945, they immediately realized that their own technology was years behind what the Germans had developed. The dropping of the two American atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 made the path forward the development of a Soviet atomic bomb, and a suitable missile to carry it. This story begins with the Soviet’s pre- and early war developments in rocket technology, then covers the discovery and study of the V-2s at Peenemünde, Germany. The Soviets assembled remaining V-2 rockets from existing parts and their mode of operation was studied. Developments in the Soviet R and G series missiles in the early 1950s are discussed in detail, as is the development for the peaceful use of Soviet rocket technology in space.

128 pages, Hardcover

Published July 28, 2018

Reviews

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book on the early Soviet rocket program. The author is German and does not provide a biography or the author's credentials or education. The book is translated by David Johnston, also without a biography or credentials.

It is of little surprise that the Soviet program's roots are in the German V2 program after World War II. Soviet paranoia kept the program in military hands. This edition taces development from captured V2 parts to atomic weapons delivery. The Soviet Space Program is well illustrated with photographs, charts, and diagrams. The double column format in the electronic edition gives the book a more informal feel than a typical history text.

The appendices also contain a great of useful information on launches of different versions of Soviet rockets as well as additional photographs. What is missing is a bibliography or source material. As a serious history of the Soviet Space program, this work is lacking. With many of the Soviet archives now open to research there should be plenty of source material. Although the book looks well down and well researched, without a bibliography and the author's expertise it is difficult to consider this work as scholarly nonfiction. I was initially intrigued by the description of the book but finished a bit disappointed.

[Robert Schulz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Das Buch ist enttäuschend. Sprachlich schwach, schlecht sturkturiert, schlechte Quellenlage (von der Zitierweise schweigen wir mal ganz). Eine Fragestellung, die konsequent verfolgt wird, fehlt ebenfalls. Zwei wohl gemeinte Sterne für die Aneinanderreihung von Startterminen und Raketenmodellen, die - ohne Zugriff auf die (Militär)Archive - sicherlich sehr schwer zusammenzustellen war.

[Cori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting information and beautiful book (cover and pics inside), but hard to get through. I'm not sure if it is how it was written, the way the sections were broken up, or all the technical terms, but this was not an easy read.