Missing Men of Saturn
Encyclopedia
Missing Men of Saturn is a juvenile science fiction
novel, published first during 1953, by astronomer and author Robert S. Richardson
as (Philip Latham) with cover illustration by Alex Schomburg
. The story concerns Dale Sutton's mission to the dreaded planet Saturn
from which no one has ever returned. Missing Men of Saturn is a part of the Winston Science Fiction
set, a series of juvenile novels which have become famous for their influence on young science fiction readers and their exceptional cover illustrations by award winning artists.
, the superstitious fears of the crew are realized as equipment begins to disappear, and eventually people.
identified it as the best of the early run of Winston juveniles, citing both its scientific accuracy and the relatively realistic stature of its hero.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel, published first during 1953, by astronomer and author Robert S. Richardson
Robert S. Richardson
Robert Shirley Richardson was an American astronomer, born in Indiana. He also published science fiction using the pseudonym Philip Latham.-Bibliography:* The Xi Effect, 1950...
as (Philip Latham) with cover illustration by Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg was a prolific American commercial and comic book artist and painter whose career lasted over 70 years.-Biography:...
. The story concerns Dale Sutton's mission to the dreaded planet Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
from which no one has ever returned. Missing Men of Saturn is a part of the Winston Science Fiction
Winston Science Fiction
The Winston Science Fiction set comprises 35 science fiction juvenile novels by famous science fiction authors such as Poul Anderson, Arthur C. Clarke, Ben Bova, and Lester del Rey and one non-fiction book Rockets through Space: The Story of Man's Preparations to Explore the Universe by del Rey...
set, a series of juvenile novels which have become famous for their influence on young science fiction readers and their exceptional cover illustrations by award winning artists.
Plot introduction
Dale Sutton, a recent graduate from the Space Academy, is assigned to the Albatross, a decrepit old spaceship. When the Albatross is assigned to explore the mysterious ringed planet Saturn, Dale remembers the story of Captain Dearborn who had commanded the first and last mission to Saturn. When the Albatross reaches Saturn's moon TitanTitan (moon)
Titan , or Saturn VI, is the largest moon of Saturn, the only natural satellite known to have a dense atmosphere, and the only object other than Earth for which clear evidence of stable bodies of surface liquid has been found....
, the superstitious fears of the crew are realized as equipment begins to disappear, and eventually people.
Reception
New York Times reviewer Villiers Gerson praised the novel as "an excellent tale." P. Schuyler MillerP. Schuyler Miller
Peter Schuyler Miller was an American science fiction writer and critic.-Life:Miller was raised in New York's Mohawk Valley, which led to a life-long interest in the Iroquois Indians. He pursued this as an amateur archaeologist and a member of the New York State Archaeological Association.He...
identified it as the best of the early run of Winston juveniles, citing both its scientific accuracy and the relatively realistic stature of its hero.
Characters in "Missing Men of Saturn"
- Dale Sutton - Recent graduate of Space Academy where he was a "big man on campus", sent on expedition to Saturn.