Henry S. F. Cooper Jr.
Henry S. F. Cooper Jr. was an American author and journalist, renowned for his writings on space exploration. Born on June 24, 1933, in New York City, he came from a lineage with deep roots in American journalism, being a descendant of James Fenimore Cooper, the famous 19th-century novelist. Cooper Jr. was educated at the Buckley School, St. Paul's School, and Harvard University, where he developed his passion for writing and reporting.
Throughout his career, Cooper focused primarily on the aerospace industry, contributing extensively to The New Yorker magazine. His articles and books have been pivotal in explaining the complexities of space missions to the general public. His writing style, characterized by meticulous detail and accessible prose, made significant contributions to public understanding of space science.
Cooper's works include several important books on space exploration, such as 'Apollo on the Moon', 'Thirteen: The Apollo Flight That Failed', and 'Before Lift-Off: The Making of a Space Shuttle Crew'. His book on Apollo 13 was particularly notable for its comprehensive account of the mission's unexpected challenges and the crew's resourceful responses. Cooper's insightful reporting helped demystify space technology, making him a respected figure in science journalism until his death on January 31, 2016.