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Prelude to space
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Prelude to space

by Arthur C. Clarke

Set during the lead-up to the first lunar launch, this 1951 novel provides a technical exploration of spacecraft design and satellite technology. It offers a fictionalised yet historically significant account of the scientific challenges involved in achieving spaceflight.

Accession 15113 ISBN 034525113X Publisher Ballantine Books (Firm)
Book Images
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Reference
Prelude to space spine
Prelude to space cover
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Prelude to space cover
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Astronomy Communication History Literature Prediction Science Technology The Future Time Transportation
CONNECTIONS
No connections
State
on_shelf
True
position_updated_at
2026-06-04 16:50
orientation
vertical
Details

Physical

binding_type
Hard Back
dimensions
none captured
spine_text
none captured

Metadata

Book form
LOCATION HISTORY
G:S3:3 4 Current vertical
6 days, 2 hours ago
G:S3:8 4 vertical
3 weeks, 1 day ago
G:S3:7 5 vertical
3 weeks, 1 day ago
G:S3:3 4 vertical
3 weeks, 1 day ago
Book Location
Updated 6 days, 2 hours ago
Vernon snapshot
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Frozen copy of Vernon's record from the last sync. Fields tagged → flow back into the Pulse record.

Last synced 2026-05-21 01:08 (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

Identity

name→ title
Prelude to space
vernon_id
23841
accession_no→ accession_number
15113
vernon_slug
prelude-to-space-arthur-c-clarke

Drives Pulse state

curr_loc_status→ on_shelf
On Shelf
location_name
Zone S3/Level 1/Phrontisterion/MONA
location_reason
On Shelf
isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
034525113X

Descriptive

production_date
1976
object_type
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object_status
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brief_description
A 1951 science fiction story imagining the first moon landing. This 1976 edition includes a 'Post-Apollo Preface'.

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
Arthur C. Clarke
tags→ tags
Science, Literature, Philology, Astronomy, Physical sciences, Solar system, Future, The, Time, Geodetic astronomy, Spherical astronomy, Fiction, Science fiction, Moon, Satellites, Astronautics, Space sciences, Science fiction -- History and criticism, Space vehicles, Navigation (Astronautics)
subject_people
—
subject_objects
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Cover image

vernon_cover_image_id→ cover_image
26242

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The source payload behind the snapshot above.
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Topics and Themes