Air and Space Month is a time to honor America’s incredible achievements in aviation, aerospace exploration, and scientific discovery! Join us as we explore the wonders of flight, the mysteries of the cosmos, and the innovative spirit that drives progress in air and space technology.
Air & Space Month On Our Shelves
On the Shelves
In the Spirit of Ronald E. McNair Astronaut: An American Hero
Born and reared in a small town in rural segregated South Carolina, he did not let poverty or the color of his skin stand between him and his goal of becoming an astronaut. Ronald McNair, Ph.D., was the first civilian African-American astronaut, and one of seven courageous astronauts who gave their lives while serving our country aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986.
The Birth of NASA: The Work of the Space Task Group, America's First True Space Pioneers
This is the story of the work of the original NASA space pioneers; men and women who were suddenly organized in 1958 from the then National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) into the Space Task Group.
NASA: A History of the U.S. Civil Space Program
A history of NASA, from its earliest origins to the present agency.
Eclipse Over Clemson: The Day Tigertown Will Never Forget
The Aug. 21, 2017 total-solar-eclipse viewing party on the campus of Clemson University was a once-in-a-lifetime experience attended by more than 50,000 people. This book is a commemoration of this rare celestial phenomenon.
50 Years of Solar System Exploration: Historical Perspectives
A collection of interesting stories about money, politics, human resources, commitment, competition and cooperation, and the "faster, better, cheaper" era of solar system exploration.
Earth
NASA studies Earth in novel ways and with ingenious tools, examining it from beneath the crust to the edge of the atmosphere. This book provides a visual journey of our beautiful and compelling planet as viewed from above.
Wings in Orbit: Scientific and Engineering Legacies of the Space Shuttle, 1971-2010
An authoritative documentation of the many accomplishments of the NASA Space Shuttle Program. Explains how the space shuttle works and describes a shuttle trip from lift-off to touchdown.
First Flight: the Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Airplane
An expert on aviation history challenges the idea that the Wright brothers were mere mechanics, upholding their place in history as great inventors and engineers who played an essential role in the evolution of modern aviation.
Celebrating a Century of Flight
A complete, comprehensive, and detailed illustrated summary of international achievements in flight and in space, from the first legends of Daedalus and Icarus through the International Space Station.
There's Something in the Air: Clemson University Aviation and Space Heritage
Compiles the early history of the Clemson Aero Club and Clemson’s aviation and space heritage from 1927 through 2006.
Airports of Columbia: A History in Photographs & Headlines
A history of the past and present airfields and airports in the Columbia area.
Touch the Stars
Created specifically for blind or visually impaired astronomy lovers in both large print and braille, and is interspersed with 19 carefully-rendered tactile illustrations. The pictures are presented so that people who are blind or visually impaired can feel what the constellations, the moon, the planets, and the Milky Way look like.
Gathering of eagles Maj Gen Charles F. Bolden, Jr, USMC
Born in Columbia, SC, Bolden is the first black Marine Corps astronaut, serving on four space shuttle missions. He was appointed the NASA Administrator in 2009.
Upcoming Event
Speaker at the Center Series: An American Revolution Panel Discussion
July 16, 2026, 2:30 PM
Join us for our next Speaker at the Center event, where six panelists will explore the history of the American Revolution. Even 250 years after America gained independence, historians and experts continue to debate key questions. Come listen as they use artifacts and primary sources to clarify the facts in these discussions.