Looking for non-fiction about Space, Spacecraft and programs

[Voidryder]

Hi,

I did a several forum searches and found lists of sci-fiction and links to online info sites, but that's not exactly what I'm looking for. If I missed it, please then excuse this posting. Just point me to that posting.

I'm looking for non-fiction books (on-line or otherwise) that are about the various space programs, launch vehicles, effort, spacecraft, designs, missions and of course the people (Cosmonauts, Astronauts, designers, controllers, etc).

In particular I am interesting in anything about the Soviet and now Russian Space Program from the beginning to present day. I am sadly lacking in that knowledge.

For the US program, anything from Skylab to present day would be good - Shuttle, probes.

And I would be interested in reading about any other nation's space efforts - ESA, Japan's, the ISS, etc for example.

Biographies auto or otherwise are always welcomed.

Unfortunately I am limited to reading in English.

Again if this was asked and answered before, I apologize for cluttering up the forum. (Mods you can delete this if it is redundant.)

Fly Straight and True,

Void

[Canopus]

There is an awesome book about the Space shuttle called "Space Shuttle The History of the National Space Transportation System" It explains the whole history of the Space plane. The ISBN is 978-0-9633974-5-4

[Nikolai]

Try The Soviet Manned Space Program by Phillip Clark, ISBN 0-517-56954-X. Or Red Star In Orbit by James Oberg, ISBN 978-0245538094. I highly recommend the second one for information content; the first one has excellent diagrams. (Really, if you want anything on the Soviet space program, James Oberg is your man; I'm in the middle of his Star-Crossed Orbits.)

[Voidryder]

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely get those books. And if anyone else has any more suggestions, please post them.

Fly Straight and True,

Void