Collier's articles on conquest of space (1952-1954)

From March 22, 1952, to April 30, 1954, Collier’s magazine published a series of articles that predicted some aspects of the future with uncanny accuracy. The articles came out in eight installments, written by members of a panel of experts (Wernher von Braun, Fred L. Whipple, Joseph Kaplan, Heinz Haber and Willy Ley) brought together to discuss space realistically and to offer a blueprint for space exploration. Von Braun’s articles provided factual, detailed descriptions of spaceships and launch vehicles, based on work he had already done and was currently doing at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Images were provided by Chesley Bonestell, Fred Freeman and Rolf Klep.

Left to right: Rolf Klep, Willy Ley, Heinz Haber, Wernher von Braun, Fred L. Whipple and Chesley Bonestell
Scans of issues of Collier's magazine (years 1926-1957) are available on unz.org. Recently (2012-2013) AIAA Houston newsletter ("Horizons") published a restored reprint of articles on space conquest.
  • March 22, 1952 - Man Will Conquer Space Soon!
  • The Editors, What are we Waiting For? (pp. 22-23)
  • Dr. Wernher von Braun, Crossing the Last Frontier (pp. 24-29, 72, 74)
  • Willy Ley, A Station in Space (pp. 30-31)
  • Dr. Fred L. Whipple, The Heavens Open (pp. 32-33)
  • Dr. Joseph Kaplan, This Side of Infinity (p. 34)
  • Dr. Heinz Haber, Can We Survive In Space? (pp. 35, 65-67)
  • Oscar Schachter, Who Owns the Universe? (pp. 36, 70-71)
  • Space Quiz Around the Editor’s Desk (pp. 38-39)
  • October 18, 1952 - Man on the Moon (1)
  • The Editors, Man on the Moon? (p. 51)
  • Dr. Wernher von Braun, The Journey (pp. 52-58, 60)
  • Willy Ley, Inside the Moon Ship (p. 56)
  • October 25, 1952 - Man on the Moon (2)
  • Dr. Fred Whipple & Dr. Wernher von Braun, The Exploration (pp. 38-40, 44-48)
  • Willy Ley, Inside the Lunar Base (p. 46)
  • February 28, 1953 - Man’s Survival in Space (1)
  • Cornelius Ryan (editor), Man’s Survival in Space (pp. 40-41)
  • Cornelius Ryan (editor), Picking the Men (pp. 42-48)
  • March 7, 1953 - Man’s Survival in Space (2)
  • Cornelius Ryan (editor), Testing the Men (pp. 56-63)
  • March 14, 1953 - Man’s Survival in Space (3)
  • Cornelius Ryan (editor), Emergency! (pp. 38-44)
  • June 27, 1953 - The Baby Space Station: First Step in the Conquest of Space
  • Dr. Wernher von Braun with Cornelius Ryan, Baby Space Station (pp. 33-35, 40)
  • April 30, 1954 - Can We Get to Mars? / Is There Life on Mars?
  • Dr. Fred L. Whipple, Is There Life on Mars? (p. 21)
  • Dr. Wernher von Braun with Cornelius Ryan, Can We Get to Mars? (pp. 22-29)
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