In Episode 23 of Thursdeighties, we'll slip the surly bonds of Earth and visit the once and future history of cosmic exploration with Andrew Chaikin.

For more than 45 years, Andrew's work as a space historian, award-winning science journalist, author, artist, and educator, has produced some of the most enduring contributions to the public understanding of space exploration - past, present, and future. Writer-director and explorer James Cameron has called him “our best historian of the space age.”

No argument here! He is the author of A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts, often regarded as the definitive narrative of the Apollo program. First published in 1994 - after eight years writing and researching, and over 150 hours of personal interviews with 23 of the 24 lunar astronauts - this acclaimed work was the main basis for Tom Hanks’ 12-part HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (which won the Emmy for best miniseries in 1998).

Beyond that flagship work, he has written numerous other books (including another personal favorite: A Passion for Mars); contributed to several major publications (e.g. Scientific American, Smithsonian) on space, astronomy, and planetary science topics; served as executive editor for space and science at Space.com from 1999 to 2001; and continues to be a respected voice in space policy and consulting, advising NASA and contributing commentary on mission design, risk, and management lessons from Apollo.

All of that, and a hell of a nice guy besides. Fantastic conversation, give it a listen!

Sponsored by Anthology for Books and Drive-by-Do-Gooders.

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