====== Explorers: Ad astra ====== [[http://www.php.net|{{http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy1/cacaprout1/explorers_zpse41cd2la.png}}]] ** What is it ? ** A huge space TL (if not a space wank at times, admittedly: an utopia rather than a dystopia. Archibald hates dystopias) It fill 1400 pages of a WORD file and truth be told ! I'm still adding things (!). It is a never-ending project, so there might be retcon or reboots along the way. ** List of Post ** ===Part 1 Early Moves (1968-1971)=== [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/|Post 1: Introduction]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/#post-11288972|Post 2: martian fantasy]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/#post-11293797|Post 3: The Apollo 8 decision, August 1968]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11299637|Post 4: Apollo 8 August 20, 1968]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11309000|Excerpt 1: Soviet and Russian Lunar Exploration by Brian Harvey (2007)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11317695|Post 5: Apollo 8 - time to start serious business]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11319999|Post 6: NRO and Apollo]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11327769|Post 7: 1969-1971: a transition era]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11327806|Post 8: CAPE KENNEDY – Florida - February 5, 1991 ]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11334552|Post 9: Here we go again]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-2#post-11339491|Post 10: Here come the Soviet space program...]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11343699|Post 11: Dreaming of Mars on both sides of the Iron Curtain]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11352377|Post 12: advancing through 1970]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11360741|Post 13: ELDO and the space tug]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11373990|Post 14: introducing a fictionnal character - Owen Gordon]] ===Part 2 Space (1971-1972)=== [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11382151|Post 15: the space shuttle alternate history - let's start]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11388348|Post 16: a little of the right stuff]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11397344|Post 17: 1971 - NASA quandary: shuttle first or space station first ?]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11415742|Post 18: 40 years before Golden Spike - the first commercial lunar mission !]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11420295|POst 17: Battle for the space shuttle; with George Low in command]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-3#post-11429291|Post 18: Shape of things to come]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11433902|Post 19: The final battle for the space shuttle !]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11439755|Post 20: The final battle for the space shuttle: first round !]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11441819|Post 21: A bit of fun with the Soviet space program. It's only a beginning !]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11446029|Post 22: The final battle for the space shuttle: August 25, 1971]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11450056|Post 23: The final battle for the space shuttle: the next round]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11455712|Post 24: The final battle for the space shuttle: The Flax committee hold its second meeting]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11459924|Post 25: ESRO / ELDO and NASA future plans.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11464142|Post 26: SHALL WE BUILD THE SPACE SHUTTLE?]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11464171|Post 27: October 9, 1971]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11469115|Post 28: the capsules strike back !]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-4#post-11469167|Background information and graphic]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-5#post-11470071|Post 29: final battle for the space shuttle: the end phase I]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-5#post-11477083|Post 30: October 25, at Manned Spaceflight Center, Houston, Texas]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-5#post-11477109|Excerpt 2: "Factors for a Decision on a New Reusable Space Transportation System by Klaus P. Heiss and Oskar Morgenstern,"]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-5#post-11482111|Post 31: The shuttle is half dead.. yet it might be even worse for NASA]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-5#post-11483736|Post 32: meanwhile, on the European side of the space program...]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-5#post-11483759|Post 33: Battle for the shuttle - phase II]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-6#post-11488723|Post 34: Wolf Vishniac]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-6#post-11493667|Post 35: final battles for the shuttle...]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-6#post-11498000|Post 36: final battles for the shuttle: things are going downhill pretty fast...]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-6#post-11506714|Post 37: Why no European deep space probes in the 70's, 80's ? Because...]] ===Part 3 Helios (1972-1979)=== [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-6#post-11510915|Post 38: 1972 is coming ! Brace yourself for an eventful year in NASA history...]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-6#post-11515931|Post 39: 1972 - NASA at crossroads]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-6#post-11532044|post 40: dawn of a new era]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-7#post-11549185|Post 41: tying up the loose ends - Mathematica, Heiss, and Morgenstern]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-7#post-11554971|Post 42: Titan III and alternatives]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-7#post-11555267|Background information on Launch Vehicles and Manned Crafts propsals after end of Shuttle]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-7#post-11557978|Post 43: the empire strike back]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-7#post-11562877|Post 44: NASA February 10, 1972]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-8#post-11570180|Post 45: Williamsburg February 28, 1972]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-8#post-11580689|Post 46: small Europe update]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-8#post-11588003|Post 47: here come the post-Skylab space station]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-8#post-11625879|Post 48: back from Coventry (why Conventry ? I don't understand)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11630540|Post 49: meanwhile on the other side of the Iron Curtain...]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11630552|Post 50: Glushko biography - with a twist]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11639626|Post 51: wings into space]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11656002|Post 52: talking about Saturn V future (this is straight out of OTL)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11663153|Post 53: straight out of OTL (Siddqi) A Buran soviet space shuttle ? what is that ?]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11672528|Post 54: Excerpt from: A history of the European Space Agency, 1958 - 1987 (ITTL)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11686226|Post 55: Agena going big]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11686235|Post 56: How NOT to build a space station - as done with 1984 Freedom]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11686253|Background information]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-9#post-11690548|Post 57: Decision point - and the winner is...]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-10#post-11699887|Post 58: meanwhile in Europe]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-10#post-11705971|Post 59: July 5, 1972. Downey, California]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-10#post-11717103]|Post 60: X-24]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-10#post-11732656|Post 61: The space station decision]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-10#post-11735979|Post 62: Asnys, Delta Force - this one is for you !]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-10#post-11744675|Post 63: enter Alvin Weinberg]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-11#post-11792281|Post 64: back into business]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-11#post-11821700|Post 65: November 23 1972. Baikonur, Kazakhstan]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-11#post-11831426|Post 66: some alt-history within the alt-history]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-11#post-11871505|Excerpt 3: The synerjet engine: key to spaceliner, a brief history of the Supercharged Ejector RamJet (1965 – 1972), by: William J.D Escher]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-11#post-11882251|Excerpt 4: from: A history of the European Space Agency, 1958 - 1987 (ITTL)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-11#post-11895429|Post 67: and now... a little alternate pop culture]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-12#post-11916010|Post 68: Hippies on the Moon - with Apollo (four decades before Golden Spike)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-12#post-11935115|Post 69: alternate pop culture, part 2]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-12#post-11957203|Post 70: Gemini-B1 test flight]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-12#post-11957232|Post 71: 14 May 1973 launch of Skylab.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-12#post-11966140|Post 72: the Soviets, part 1]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-12#post-11970992|Post 73: the Soviets, part 2]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-13#post-12006384|Post 74: The Soviets, part 3]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-13#post-12020297|Post 75: Skylab second life]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-13#post-12020560|Post 76: More from the Soviets]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-13#post-12024144|Post 77: October 1973 – February 1974 OIL]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-13#post-12042323|Post 78: May 16, 1974, "It isn’t ours to divine the future."]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-13#post-12052213|Post 79: August 9, 1974. The Soviet lunar program]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-14#post-12062524|Post 80: the space shuttle ghost]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-14#post-12078385|Post 90: JPL, planetary exploration, and the National Academies]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-14#post-12088352|Post 91: astronaut class]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-14#post-12110520|Post 92: It's ugly, but it gets you there.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-14#post-12122100|Post 93: Apollo and lifting bodies]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-14#post-12140062|Post 94: The NRO is watching you !]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-14#post-12171820|Post 95 Peter N. James’s none-too-subtly titled book Soviet Conquest From Space]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-15#post-12198600|Post 95: CNES meeting in Beaugency, about feasibility of using Ariane for manned flight.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-15#post-12209240|Post 96: ISS: the interim space station]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-15#post-12231030|Post 97: March 21, 1976.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-15#post-12249371|Post 98: HOW TO REPLACE THE APOLLO LUNAR LANDING SYSTEM (1976)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-15#post-12260650|Post 99: April 1976. Mo Udall, in his run for the democratic nomination]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-15#post-12275750|Post 100: Lockheed bribery scandal, NASA, and the Agena]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-16#post-12291242|Post 101: Diagonal to space]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-16#post-12296110|Post 102: Langley taking the helm - the shuttle dream ain't dead yet]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-16#post-12314702|Post 103: Maskirovka, part I]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-17#post-12384698|Post 104: little update on planetary exploration]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-17#post-12408507|Post 105: March 27, 1977 Helios spacecraft "//America//" in orbit.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-17#post-12422982|Post 106: The Maskirovka, part II]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-17#post-12432019|background information about Space Hardware in this TL]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-18#post-12450943|background information about NRO spysats]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-18#post-12470395|Post 107:THE COSMOS 929 ENIGMA]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-18#post-12492990|Post 108:LOCKHEED WINS SPACE TELESCOPE]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-18#post-12546270|Excerpt 5]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-18#post-12558495|Post 109: DIAGONAL and ECONOMICS OF ROCKET REUSE]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-19#post-12580583|Post 110: L-5 Society & National Space Institute and the Space Settlement Society]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-19#post-12616110|Post 111: pop culture Part III]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-19#post-12631075|Post 112: Helios Soyuz Test program]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-19#post-12638138|background information to post 112]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-19#post-12638517|Post 113: Olin "Tiger" Teague or how the space program changing the face of politics]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-20#post-12648549|Post 114: The X-27 Test flight under Subscale Shuttle Program]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-20#post-12728339|Post 115: pop culture Part IV]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-20#post-12733784|Post 116: MKBS]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-20#post-12753001|Post 117: Kosmos 954 problems]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-20#post-12791198|Post 118: October 4 1978. Launch Complex 41]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-20#post-12845340|Post 119: Saint Louis, Missouri, the home of McDonnell Douglas]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-21#post-12850766|Post 120:March 15 1979 Kindley Naval Air Station, Bermuda (Skylab Deorbit)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-21#post-12896687|Post 121:May 1979 Paris, France (a French spationaut on Soviet spacecraft)]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-21#post-12919710|Post 122: July 21 1979, US Präsident Election]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-21#post-12979984|Post 123: Space Telescope"]] ===Part 4 Liberty (1979-1999)=== [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-23#post-13052470|Post 124:November 14, 1979]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-23#post-13107843|Post 125: October 12, 1979]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-23#post-13133246|Post 126: The closure of Marshall space flight center and launch of Liberty module]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-23#post-13160139|Post 127: Hyperion docking with Liberty module]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-23#post-13193615|Post 128: Commercials Titan Rocket]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-24#post-13232365|Post 129: Additional Moduls for Liberty Station.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-24#post-13282175|Post 130: The eruption of Mount St Helens view from Space ]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-24#post-13331913|Post 131: Blue Helios missions.]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-25#post-13698096|Post 132: 1973 Concorde chasing a Solar eclipse across the Earth]] [[http://www.alternatehistory.com/forum/threads/explorers-ad-astra.366697/page-26#post-13974586|post 133: cold war heating up !]] ===Part 5 Explorers (Beyond 2000)=== ---- ==== Navigation ==== **[[Late 20th century|Late 20th Century Timelines]]** **[[timelines:timelines_and_scenarios|Alternate History Timelines and Scenarios Main Directory]]**