Apollo Astronaut's Long-Lost Manuscript Explores Nuclear Threats in Space

Apollo Astronaut's Long-Lost Manuscript Explores Nuclear Threats in Space
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 17, 2024

A previously unpublished manuscript by Apollo 14 Astronaut Edgar Mitchell, stored in a bank vault for nearly four decades, has now been made available by Pen-L Publishing. This manuscript draws critical comparisons between the growing militarization of space and present-day realities, raising concerns over the increasing potential for nuclear conflict in space.

Mitchell's work explores the vulnerabilities of U.S. satellite technology and the possible consequences of nuclear threats in space warfare.

The manuscript stems from a pivotal moment in the 1970s when Wernher von Braun, the famed architect behind the Apollo spacecraft, warned NASA and the Pentagon about the perils of space-based nuclear weapons. Before his death in 1974, von Braun urged Carol Rosin, his protege, to collaborate with Mitchell in exposing the potential for catastrophic nuclear events if these technologies were deployed in space.

Von Braun's fears became more tangible in the early 1980s with President Reagan's "Star Wars" initiative, which aimed to establish both ground and space-based missile defense systems. Rosin's connections in government circles granted Mitchell a deeper understanding of these threats, which he meticulously documented in his manuscript.

"Thirty-four publishers refused to publish it or even seriously consider it," Mitchell revealed. "Such was the power of the White House, which did not want it published. I was subject to harassment, tapped phones, and more..."

Despite its suppression, the content of Mitchell's manuscript, written over forty years ago, remains as timely as ever. Modern-day developments by China and Russia are introducing non-kinetic space weapons, including laser systems that can disrupt satellite sensors and jamming technologies targeting satellite communications. These advancements, combined with increasing Pentagon reliance on satellite infrastructure, make space-based assets prime targets for future warfare.

Mitchell's analysis also delves into the consequences of failing to prepare for these threats, highlighting the social and economic impacts, from disruptions in GPS and cellphone networks to interruptions in global supply chains and healthcare systems.

In 2006, Mitchell entrusted his manuscript to long-time friend and author Carol Mersch for publication. The book includes an in-depth interview with Mitchell, conducted by Mersch in 2005, and reveals other notable elements such as an FBI teletype regarding the infamous Roswell incident, which occurred near Mitchell's hometown.

Edgar Mitchell's insights, articulate and extensively researched, remain vital for understanding the current military landscape and the growing risks associated with space weaponization.

The book is now available for purchase at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Pen-L.com.