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Skylark Series
''Skylark'' is a science fiction/space opera series by American writer E. E. Smith. In the first book, ''The Skylark of Space'' (first published in ''Amazing Stories'' in 1928), a scientist discovers/accidentally invents a space-drive, builds a starship, and flies off with three companions to encounter alien civilizations and fight a larger-than-life villain. ''The Skylark of Space'' was the first of a series which continued through three subsequent books—''Skylark Three'' and '' Skylark of Valeron'' written during the 1930s, and '' Skylark DuQuesne'', written in 1963. R. D. Mullen declared that "The great success of the stories was surely due first of all to the skill with which Smith mixed elements of the spy thriller and the western story (our hero is the fastest gun in space, our villain the second fastest) with those of the traditional cosmic voyage." [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Space Opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes Space warfare in science fiction, space warfare, with use of melodramatic, risk-taking space adventures, relationships, and chivalric romance. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, it features technological and social advancements (or lack thereof) in faster-than-light travel, Weapons in science fiction, futuristic weapons, and sophisticated technology, on a backdrop of galactic empires and interstellar wars with Extraterrestrials in fiction, fictional aliens, often in fictional galaxies. The term does not refer to opera, opera music, but instead originally referred to the melodrama, scope, and formulaic stories of operas, much as used in "horse opera", a 1930s phrase for a clichéd and formulaic Western film, and "soap opera", a melodramatic domestic drama. Space operas emerged in the 1930s and continue to be produced in literature, film, comics, television, video games and board games. An early film which was based ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Skylark Of Space
''The Skylark of Space'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Edward E. "Doc" Smith, written between 1915 and 1921 while Smith was working on his doctorate. Though the original idea for the novel was Smith's, he co-wrote the first part of the novel with Lee Hawkins Garby, the wife of his college classmate and later neighbor Carl Garby. The novel starts as an edisonade, but turns into a space travel adventure when the characters go into deep space. ''The Skylark of Space'' is considered to be one of the earliest novels of interstellar travel and the first example of space opera. Originally serialized in 1928 in the magazine ''Amazing Stories'', it was first published in book form in 1946 by the Buffalo Book Co. The novel was followed by three sequels, beginning with '' Skylark Three''. Plot synopsis : ''Note: This synopsis is consistent with the novel in its later forms (1946 and subsequent editions) but differs in detail from the original 1928 text as transcribed at ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Amazing Stories
''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances in other magazines, including some published by Gernsback, but ''Amazing'' helped define and launch a new genre of pulp fiction. ''Amazing'' has been published, with some interruptions, for 98 years, going through a half-dozen owners and many editors as it struggled to be profitable. Gernsback was forced into bankruptcy and lost control of the magazine in 1929. In 1938 it was purchased by Ziff-Davis, which hired Raymond A. Palmer as editor. Palmer made the magazine successful though it was not regarded as a quality magazine within the science fiction community. In the late 1940s ''Amazing'' presented as fact stories about the Shaver Mystery, a lurid mythos that explained accidents and disaster as the work of robots named deros, whic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spacecraft Propulsion
Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate spacecraft and artificial satellites. In-space propulsion exclusively deals with propulsion systems used in the vacuum of space and should not be confused with space launch or atmospheric entry. Several methods of pragmatic spacecraft propulsion have been developed, each having its own drawbacks and advantages. Most satellites have simple reliable chemical thrusters (often monopropellant rockets) or resistojet rockets for orbital station-keeping, while a few use Reaction wheel, momentum wheels for attitude control. Russian and antecedent Soviet bloc satellites have used Spacecraft electric propulsion, electric propulsion for decades, and newer Western geo-orbiting spacecraft are starting to use them for north–south station-keeping and orbit raising. Interplanetary vehicles mostly use chemical rockets as well, although a few have used electric propulsion such as ion thrusters and Hall-effect thrusters. Various technologies ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Starship
A starship, starcraft, or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for interstellar travel, traveling between planetary systems. The term is mostly found in science fiction. Reference to a "star-ship" appears as early as 1882 in ''Oahspe: A New Bible''. While NASA's ''Voyager program, Voyager'' and ''Pioneer program, Pioneer'' probes have traveled into local interstellar space, the purpose of these uncrewed craft was specifically interplanetary, and they are not predicted to reach another star system; ''Voyager 1'' probe and Gliese 445 will pass one another within 1.6 light years in about 40,000 years. Several preliminary designs for starships have been undertaken through exploratory engineering, using feasibility study, feasibility studies with modern technology or technology thought likely to be available in the near future. In April 2016, scientists announced Breakthrough Starshot, a Breakthrough Initiatives program, to develop a proof-of-concept fleet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Skylark Three
''Skylark Three'' is a science fiction novel by American writer E. E. Smith, the second in his ''Skylark'' series. Originally serialized through the ''Amazing Stories'' magazine in 1930, it was first collected in book form in 1948 by Fantasy Press. Plot synopsis ''Skylark Three'' (1948) is the second book in the ''Skylark'' series and is set a year after the events of ''The Skylark of Space'', during which year antagonist Marc "Blackie" DuQuesne has used the wealth obtained in the previous book to buy a controlling interest in the story's 'World Steel Corporation', a large company known for its ruthless attitude. When the story begins DuQuesne announces a long absence from Earth, to find another species more knowledgeable than the Osnomians allied with protagonist Richard Seaton. Shortly thereafter, DuQuesne and a henchman disappear from Earth. DuQuesne, by now aware of the 'Object Compass' trained on him, travels far enough to break the connection, then turns toward the 'Gre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Skylark Of Valeron
''Skylark of Valeron'' is a science fiction novel by the American writer E. E. Smith, the third in his Skylark series. Originally serialized in the magazine ''Astounding'' in 1934, it was first collected in book form in 1949 by Fantasy Press. Plot summary The story continued from the last scenes of battle in '' Skylark Three''. Having pursued and destroyed the fleeing Fenachrone colony spaceship, The Skylarkers decided to explore the galaxy seen up ahead, to take the opportunity offered by the great velocity resulted from the chase and the distance they had traveled. Along the way, Seaton discovered thought In their most common sense, the terms thought and thinking refer to cognitive processes that can happen independently of sensory stimulation. Their most paradigmatic forms are judging, reasoning, concept formation, problem solving, and de ... is a phenomenon of the "sixth order", and developed the technologies in relation with it. Meanwhile, DuQuesne's ruse faki ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Skylark DuQuesne
''Skylark DuQuesne'' is a science fiction novel by American writer E. E. Smith, the final novel in his ''Skylark'' series. Written as Smith's last novel in 1965 and published shortly before his death, it expands on the characterizations of the earlier novels (written 1919 - about 1938) with some discrepancies (some of which may relate to unwritten background developments). Marc DuQuesne, the major villain of the three previous novels, is shown to have matured, reformed, and been offered a chance at what amounts to a pardon for his prior crimes against the heroes. The book ends with Dick Seaton and DuQuesne teaming up to perpetrate a galaxy-wide genocide against the Chlorans, causing all their suns to go nova. This act is condoned with the argument that otherwise the Chlorans would have eventually broken out of their galaxy and taken over the entire universe; Seaton compares the Chlorans to a cancer which must be destroyed "to the last cell". The Chlorans themselves, though dep ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Science Fiction Studies
''Science Fiction Studies'' (''SFS'') is an academic journal founded in 1973 by R. D. Mullen. The journal is published three times per year at DePauw University. As Science fiction studies, the name implies, the journal publishes articles and book reviews on science fiction, but also occasionally on fantasy and horror (genre), horror when the topic also covers some aspect of science fiction as well. Known as one of the major academic publications of its type, ''Science Fiction Studies'' is considered the most "theoretical" of the academic journals that publish on science fiction. History ''SFS'' has had three different institutional homes during its lifetime. It was founded in 1973 at Indiana State University by the late English professor Dr. R. D. Mullen, where it remained for approximately five years. In 1978, it moved to McGill University and then to Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, where it was supported by a Canadian government grant until 1991. ''SFS'' was brou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spacewar!
''Spacewar!'' is a space combat video game developed in 1962 by Steve Russell in collaboration with Martin Graetz, Wayne Wiitanen, Bob Saunders, Steve Piner, and others. It was written for the newly installed DEC PDP-1 minicomputer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After its initial creation, ''Spacewar!'' was expanded further by other students and employees of universities in the area, including Dan Edwards and Peter Samson. It was also spread to many of the few dozen installations of the PDP-1 computer, making ''Spacewar!'' the first known video game to be played at multiple computer installations. The game features two spaceships, "the needle" and "the wedge", engaged in a dogfight while maneuvering in the gravity well of a star. Both ships are controlled by human players. Each ship has limited weaponry and fuel for maneuvering, and the ships remain in motion even when the player is not accelerating. Flying near the star to provide a gravity assist was a c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
All Aboard The Skylark
''All Aboard the Skylark'' is an album by space rock band Hawkwind; released in 2019 on Cherry Red Records, it was their thirty-second album since their debut, ''Hawkwind'', in 1970. Background Some copies were issued as a 2CD set with an additional disc ''Acoustic Daze'', which was also issued as an independent vinyl record. The content is the original acoustic recordings that were reworked with Mike Batt for the ''Road to Utopia'' album. The album was promoted with a 15 date tour of Britain in November, culminating in a final show at London's Royal Albert Hall. The group were augmented by keyboard player Tim Blake, with guest appearances from Phil Campbell (at the Royal Albert Hall and Cardiff Tramshed) and Eric Clapton (in Guildford). The set-list included "Flesh Fondue", "Last Man on Earth", "65 Million Years Ago", "In the Beginning" and "The Fantasy of Faldum" from the album. A record of the live show titled ''50th Anniversary Live'', with the guest appearance from Campbe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band known as one of the earliest space rock groups. Since their formation in November 1969, Hawkwind have gone through many incarnations and have incorporated many different styles into their music, including hard rock, progressive rock and psychedelic rock. They are regarded as an influential proto-punk band. Their lyrics often cover themes of urban life and science fiction. Many musicians, dancers and writers have worked with the band since their inception. Key members of Hawkwind have included Nik Turner, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Del Dettmar, Lemmy, Simon King, Robert Calvert, Michael Moorcock, Simon House and Ginger Baker, but the band are most closely associated with their singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Brock, who founded the band and is the only remaining original member. Hawkwind are best known for the song " Silver Machine", which became a number-three UK hit single in 1972, and they had further chart singles with " Urban Guerrilla ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
