Rocket Ship Galileo

“Rocket Ship Galileo” is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, published in 1947, about three teenagers who participate in a pioneering flight to the Moon. It was the first in the “Heinlein Juveniles,” a long and successful series of science fiction novels published by “Scribner’s.” The novel was originally envisioned as the first of a series of books called “Young Rocket Engineers.” It was initially rejected by publishers, because going to the moon was “too far out.”

Exposition

The Galileo Club had just finished its latest backyard launch of a miniature rocket with mixed results when the uncle of one of the three club members arrives with a startling proposal: to join him in preparing his “cut‐rate” rocket and making mankind&rsquos first trip to the moon. Despite mysterious sabotage attempts and a restraining “court order,” Doctor Cargraves and the three: Art, Morrie and Ross—manage to blast off successfully. Reaching the moon proves even tougher than expected, and the moon has plenty of surprises in store. Leaving post‐war America does not mean leaving all your enemies behind!

Alternative covers