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From Apollo to Artemis: Stories from My 50 Years with NASA
Herb Baker’s memoir charts his journey through half a century at NASA, beginning with the Apollo moon landings and extending into the Artemis era. Told from a non‑astronaut, business and procurement perspective, the narrative interweaves personal anecdotes, historical context, and pioneering moments at the agency.
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Conclusion
Baker’s From Apollo to Artemis is a heartfelt, human-focused memoir rather than a technical manual—full of engaging stories about coworkers, astronauts, and the small moments that shaped NASA’s legacy. Spanning roughly 350 pages, it highlights pivotal eras—Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle, Space Station, Orion, and Artemis—through the lens of contracts, support systems, and everyday teamwork. The book emphasizes perseverance, optimism, and the hidden ingenuity behind big missions. While sometimes light on deeply technical mission details, Baker’s warmth, humor, and passion for NASA shine throughout. The closure reflects his ongoing outreach work post-retirement and message for inspiring the next generation of space professionals.
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Key points
🚀 Memoir of a NASA insider: Baker’s 50‑year career at NASA—from contracting officer to operations manager—gives readers a unique business‑side view of major programs.
🧑🚀 Proximity to history: As a teenager, Baker helped deliver Apollo 11 news film reels for broadcast—so viewers may have seen footage he handled.
🔧 Focus on everyday people: Instead of engineers or astronauts, stories center on office staff, seamstresses, procurement teams, and support personnel.
🖐 Handmade space technology: Details of parachutes folded by hand, charting by paper, heat shield application with caulking guns emphasize NASA’s analog origins.
🕷 Unexpected anecdotes: Memorable stories include Skylab’s Spider Experiment (Arabella and Anita weaving webs in microgravity).
😄 Light, approachable style: The narrative is relaxed, humorous, and jargon‑free, making it accessible even to non‑technical readers.
📸 Rich visual context: Over 100 personal photographs enhance storytelling and humanize NASA’s internal world.
🤝 Teamwork under pressure: Anecdotes like the makeshift fix during Apollo 13 illustrate resourcefulness and human collaboration.
📚 Encouraging STEM engagement: Baker reflects on his outreach with schools and students, aiming to inspire future space industry professionals.
🏅 Passion over critique: The tone is overwhelmingly celebratory—optimistic—but offers limited discussion of NASA controversies or setbacks.
👥 Legacy and outreach: Post‑retirement, Baker continues to promote STEM via the NASA Alumni League and public speaking, underlining his lifelong commitment.
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Summary
1. Early beginnings & Apollo era
Baker grew up in Houston near Johnson Space Center, working in TV support roles during Apollo 11—and watching the lunar landing in tight media studios.
2. Joining NASA’s business side
He joined NASA after university, spending decades in contracting and procurement, facilitating suits, spacecraft components, and early SpaceX contracts.
3. Transition through programs
His career touched key NASA programs: Skylab (including quirky experiments), Space Shuttle, ISS, and the upcoming Artemis lunar initiative.
4. Behind-the-scenes glimpses
Baker shares how essential tasks—parachute folding, heat shield application, astronaut tracking charts—were often manual and human-led.
5. Humorous and human stories
The book is filled with charming vignettes: an elevator decked like an airlock, routine taste-tests of astronaut food (like guacamole), and more.
6. Crisis and ingenuity
In crisis scenarios (e.g. Apollo 13), he recounts how creative fixes and coordination under pressure saved missions.
7. Focus on people not tech
Rather than engineering minutiae, Baker highlights relationships with colleagues, astronauts, and staff across NASA’s internal ecosystem.
8. Photographs bring memories to life
Over 100 photos—from daily office life to iconic moments—add vivid context and personal dimension.
9. Optimism and outreach
Baker frames NASA’s story as a platform for inspiring youth, delivering consistent messages of perseverance and exploration.
10. A final word on NASA’s future
While he steps back from operations, Baker’s ongoing volunteer efforts show belief in Artemis and the next generation of space professionals.
What is
From Apollo to Artemis
about?
The book is a memoir by Herb Baker, chronicling his 50-year career at NASA. It focuses on the behind-the-scenes roles that support space missions—especially in procurement, management, and team coordination—rather than on astronauts or engineers.
Who is Herb Baker?
Herb Baker is a former NASA employee who worked in a variety of non-engineering roles from the Apollo era through to the Artemis program. He managed contracts, supported mission logistics, and later became involved in STEM outreach.
Is the book technical?
No, the book is written in an accessible, story-driven style. It is meant for general readers, using humor and anecdotes to demystify NASA’s internal workings.
What makes the book unique?
Rather than focusing on astronauts or spaceflight mechanics, it highlights the contributions of everyday workers at NASA—technicians, administrators, and even food service staff.
What programs are covered in the book?
Baker discusses his involvement with Apollo, Skylab, the Space Shuttle program, the International Space Station, Orion spacecraft development, and the Artemis lunar missions.
Are there photographs?
Yes, the book includes over 100 photographs from Herb Baker’s personal collection and NASA archives, enriching the storytelling with visual context.
What audience is the book best for?
The book suits space enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone curious about NASA’s internal culture. It’s also useful for students interested in non-STEM roles in space agencies.
Does the book include famous NASA events?
Yes, major events like Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 are covered from a unique angle, as well as the transition to Artemis and modern challenges in space exploration.