Skip to main content

Lost In Space

July 2026
1min read


In one of the great engineering epics of all time, NASA met the challenge posed by Sputnik ’s derisive chirp by putting a man on the moon in a little more than a decade. And then, somehow, we lost our way. T. A. Heppenheimer tells how one of the most popular government agencies of all time followed a false star.

Help us tell the story of America.

For over 75 years, American Heritage has chronicled our nation's history like no other publication. Please support our trusted, non-partisan historical writing and the volunteers that sustain it by donating today. We rely on contributions from readers like you to survive.
Donate