posted 05-15-2009 07:42 AM               

Offering surprising insight into the Russian-American relationship during the golden age of space exploration and detailing the current circumstances surrounding commercial space travel, this revealing memoir charts the emergence of the Russian space program as a powerful ally to the international community from the perspective of an American who participated on the Russian side. Revealing what it was like to witness the American space community struggle to reconcile a world where the Russians were the low-cost, quality manufacturer for space goods, this is the true story of NASA's lack of international cooperation, cross-cultural understandings, and acceptance of different perspectives. This insider's expose brings about a greater understanding of the complicated relationships between international partners set on exploring an infinite universe through finite means.

About the Author
Jeffrey Manber is CEO of SEFSpaceworks and was the first American to ever have an official role within the Russian space industry. He is the former CEO of MirCorp, who leased the Russian space station Mir, and is the coauthor of Lincoln's Wrath. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

• Paperback: 300 pages
  
• Publisher: Collector's Guide Publishing, Inc. (January 1, 2010)
  
• ISBN-10: 1926592085
  
• ISBN-13: 978-1926592084

posted 05-15-2009 01:10 PM               

...this is the true story of NASA's lack of international cooperation

Maybe the author means something else by the statement.

posted 06-02-2009 10:07 AM               

The book relates to the push by the Russians to use American-style financing and open markets to fund their space program.

I tell my story of helping the Russian push capitalism into space, over the objections of NASA, which insisted on keeping all commercial business out of space.

Thanks again for commenting.

posted 06-02-2009 10:29 AM               

As I am sure you cover, the blockades raised by NASA to commercial manned spaceflight originated from a few specific offices. At the same time, there were divisions within the agency that were supportive of the idea, which played a supporting role in opening opportunities for commercial space development, even before Rosaviakosmos, Energia, MirCorp and Space Adventures became involved.