Showing results by author "TD Barnes" in All Categories

Embark on a thrilling journey through one of NASA's most pivotal space programs in "Project Gemini: The Bridge to the Moon." Spanning twelve missions over five transformative years, Project Gemini was the crucial link between the early manned spaceflights of Project Mercury and the monumental achievements of Apollo. This comprehensive chronology delves into the intricacies of each mission, highlighting the technological advancements and human ingenuity that propelled America toward the moon. The constellation for which the project was named, Gemini, is commonly pronounced /ˈdʒɛmɪnaɪ/, ...

From the dawn of space exploration to the formation of the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Force - Guardians of the High Frontier provides a comprehensive and engaging look at how space has become the ultimate frontier for national security. In this insightful and meticulously researched book, readers will journey through the geopolitical and technological milestones that led to the establishment of America’s newest military branch—the U.S. Space Force. The narrative begins with the Cold War, where space was first recognized as a strategic domain, and traces the development of space-based ...

"Spies in the Sky: America's Eyes Above the Iron Curtain" traces the birth and evolution of the Advanced Reconnaissance System, Weapons System 117L (WS-117L), during the Cold War. This narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the space age and geopolitical tensions. It all began in 1946 with Project RAND's exploration of artificial satellites, eventually leading to WS-117L's mission of satellite-based strategic reconnaissance. As the Cold War escalated, the Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Program's launch capabilities made WS-117L crucial for surveillance and assessing ...

They all, President Truman, the Army, Air Force, Navy, and the Marine Corps feared the Central Intelligence Agency, yet the president tasked it with doing something that the Air Force would not do. That was to develop a manned overhead reconnaissance program to spy on Russia. Despite many technological and bureaucratic hurdles, the CIA, in eight months from contract to flying, and under budget, produces the revolutionary U-2 spy plane. A few months later, the CIA is overflying the Communist Soviet Union to disprove the feared bomber and missile gap between the two superpowers. The struggle ...

CIA Project OXCART, Project Gusto produced the program code-named Oxcart to develop the stealthy A-12 Archangel as a new U-2 follow-on aircraft. Under CIA Project Oxcart, the stealthy A-12 Archangel was flight-tested at Area 51, Nevada, under a shroud of secrecy. Flying at 95,000 feet and 2,221 mph or Mach 3.35, the A-12 was the fastest, highest-flying jet-powered, piloted aircraft ever, faster than the Air Force's SR-71, who officially holds the speed record. Selecting a place called Area 51 in Nevada and beneath a shroud of secrecy, the Central Intelligence Agency first flew the U-2, the ...

In the gripping debut of the four-book series, "Nuclear Winter (TEOTWAWKI - The end of the world as we know it)," the world plunges into its darkest hour as an orbital electromagnetic pulse triggers a catastrophic global nuclear conflict. Amidst the devastation, 90 percent of humanity succumbs to the merciless grip of nuclear winter. Follow the harrowing journey of a select group of survivors as they grapple with the unforgiving new reality. US Army Colonel Thomas Bradley, a brilliant electronic expert from the Defense Intelligence Agency, leads this diverse ensemble. Together, they seek ...

The combination of the shoot down of the U-2 over Russia in 1960, Russia’s moving into Cuba, and the war in Vietnam placed a heavy load on the Central Intelligence Agency to develop a replacement spy plane, unlike anything the world had ever seen before. The CIA reestablishes its station at Area 51 under the CIA’s new Directorate of Science and Technology where it develops America’s first stealth plane, the A-12 Archangel. Designed with slide-rule technology, the CIA produces what is still today the fastest and highest flying manned air-breathing aircraft ever. The A-12 plane spends ...

Beyond the Horizon: The Declassified History of the CIA’s Office of Special Activities at Area 51 invites readers into a concealed world where innovation, secrecy, and ambition seamlessly intertwine, revealing the unrecounted narratives and unveiled mysteries of America's most enigmatic military base. In the sequestered expanses of the Nevada desert, Area 51 silently veils its secrets beneath layers of history and silent machinations. This mysterious base, obscured by both physical desolation and governmental silence, emerges as the nerve center for the CIA’s Office of Special ...

In the gripping sequel, "Nuclear Spring," the second installment of the Nuclear Winters Series, the world remains ensnared in the relentless aftermath of the EMP and nuclear assaults. The planet has endured an unparalleled nuclear winter for two years since the cataclysmic events, casting an enduring shadow over civilization. The EMP attack's devastating blow to global electrical grids and electronics has plunged humanity into an abyss of darkness and turmoil, culminating in an astonishing 90 percent fatality rate, driven by the post-EMP wars and the enduring repercussions of nuclear winter...

In "Plausible Deniability – Operation Cyber Hydra," meet Major Chuck Haig, a brilliant mind with a doctorate in computer sciences and a decorated career in US Army intelligence. When the CIA recruits him to lead a groundbreaking multiagency counter-cyber taskforce, Haig finds himself at the forefront of a digital battleground. Codename: Operation Cyber Hydra. Its mission: to combat state-sponsored cyber threats targeting vital US interests. With a team comprising top analysts from the CIA, DIA, NSA, and FBI, Haig spearheads an operation that delves deep into the shadows of the cyber world...

"Discover the gripping tale of Project Mercury, America's inaugural manned spaceflight initiative that launched humanity into the cosmos. Fueled by Cold War competition and national pride, Project Mercury symbolizes a remarkable collaboration among NASA, government agencies, and American industry. This program pushed the boundaries of human achievement, from the bustling launchpads of Cape Canaveral to the vastness of space. Beginning with the urgent race to put a man into orbit and safely return him to Earth, Project Mercury unfolded with unprecedented speed. NASA achieved what typically ...

The Central Intelligence Agency founded Area 51 to develop the revolutionary high-flying U-2 reconnaissance plane. Area 51 becomes a station for the Central Intelligence Agency's newly formed Directorate of Science and Technology initiated to develop a successor to the U-2 Angel. Under Dr. Bud Wheelon, the Science and Technology Directorate making up the CIA's 5th discipline for intelligence gathering, the CIA recruited specialists to form a special project team to design the A-12 Archangel as America’s first stealth plane. The CIA underwent many trials and tribulations using slide rule ...

In Book 3 of the Nuclear War Series, ”Nuclear Summer," the heart-pounding third chapter of the EMP Series, the survivors face a daunting new phase in their battle for survival. After dedicating two years to meticulous preparations against the determined Islamic jihadists from Central America, who aim to secure control of the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River to establish an Islamic caliphate in Arizona, the survivors confront an evolving world. The once-pervasive nuclear winter has given way to a fresh peril—the influence of storms driven by the wandering jet stream. In a daring move, ...

Amid the Cold War, a top-secret mission unfolded within the hidden confines of Area 51. It was 1978 when the United States acquired its first Soviet MiG-23, codenamed FLOGGER by NATO. This enigmatic aircraft became the centerpiece of an ambitious operation orchestrated by the CIA, DIA, US Air Force, US Navy, and the covert CIA's EG&G Special Projects team. Assigned the classified US military plane designator YF-113, the MiG-23 was transported to the heart of America's most secretive facility, Area 51. Project HAVE PAD, a successor program to the MiG-21 Fishbed, and a series of previous MiG ...

In The United States vs. Hanson Oil - A Novel About the US Open Border, a once modest, family-run business strikes black gold, catapulting the Hansons into wealth and fame. Hoot Hanson, a laid-back yet sharp oil wildcatter, and his feisty, resilient wife, Hanna, seem to have it all—twin daughters, a loyal bird dog, and a tight-knit circle of friends. But with unimaginable riches come sinister threats. As the US southern border remains open, Mexican cartels and international criminals flood into the country, unleashing an epidemic of drugs, violence, and terror. The Hansons find themselves...

"MiGs Over Nevada: Declassified Accounts of Technological Tradecraft at Area 51" Step into the classified world of Area 51, the CIA's top-secret flight testing facility in Nevada, where cutting-edge reconnaissance planes and covert operations once ruled the skies. In "MiGs Over Nevada," delve into the thrilling true story of a small group of CIA personnel and contract specialists who played a pivotal role in shaping aerial warfare as we know it today. When the legendary A-12 reconnaissance planes were retired from operational missions, Area 51 seemed destined for a quieter existence. ...

The Space Race tells the captivating story of one of the most defining periods in human history—a battle for supremacy between the United States and the Soviet Union that extended far beyond Earth’s atmosphere. From the dawn of the Cold War, when both superpowers vied for technological dominance, to the incredible achievements that followed, this book takes readers on a journey through the milestones that shaped space exploration. Discover the awe-inspiring tales of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, the courageous flights of Vostok and Mercury, the Moon landings, and the space ...

By the Sword, Book Four of EMP Series, six years have passed since the EMP attack, the bombs, and the ensuing nuclear winter. The war continues as survivors fight to restore peace against migrating jihadist extremists seeking to establish an Islamic caliphate. The jihadists again attempt to take control of the Hoover Dam and Colorado River and are defeated by the survivors, this making Yucca Mountain a target that the Jihadists must destroy. The survivors in Nevada realize that to survive, they must live by the sword. The survivors team up with an Israeli network engaged in tracking the ...

Amid the Cold War, as the United States and the Soviet Union vied for supremacy in space, NASA launched Skylab, America’s first space station. This book delves into the story of Skylab, a testament to American ingenuity and determination during a time of intense geopolitical rivalry. Against the backdrop of the Cold War space race, Skylab emerged as a beacon of scientific progress, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in space exploration. Through detailed narrative and factual descriptions, "Skylab" explores how this groundbreaking space station provided a wealth of knowledge that...

Embark on a journey through the cosmos with "The ISS: The International Space Station," a comprehensive 363-page illustrated exploration of humanity's most ambitious space endeavor. This meticulously researched book delves into the profound reasons behind our quest for a permanent presence in space, the intricate construction of the International Space Station (ISS), and the collaborative efforts that have made it possible. Uncover the stories of numerous expeditions that have ventured to this orbital laboratory, showcasing the courage and innovation of astronauts and cosmonauts from around...