Coming soon from University Press of Florida!
From Tomorrowland to Mars explores a question few have considered but many have experienced: how has Disney shaped the way Americans imagine space exploration? Moving beyond the familiar story of Walt Disney’s Man in Space television programs, the book argues that Disney has remained one of the most influential cultural voices in spaceflight for more than seventy years. From Tomorrowland and EPCOT to WALL-E, Buzz Lightyear, and collaborations with NASA, Disney’s stories and experiences have helped define what Americans expect space exploration to look like—and, in turn, influenced the political and policy conversations surrounding it.
Blending political science, history, media studies, and space policy, From Tomorrowland to Mars uncovers the surprising connections between entertainment and the American space program. It examines how Disney helped popularize visions of the future, reshaped NASA’s public engagement, normalized commercial spaceflight, and even influenced the way we think about humanity’s future on Mars. Whether you’re interested in Disney history, space exploration, or the power of popular culture to shape public policy, this book offers a fresh perspective on how imagination becomes reality—and why the stories we tell about tomorrow matter.
About the Author:
Wendy Whitman Cobb is a Professor at the Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies and a leading voice on the politics of space exploration. But before all that, she was a Disney kid and self-proclaimed space nerd. She is someone who believes Tomorrowland shouldn’t just be a land in a theme park, but a challenge to build the future… a dreamer. When she’s not teaching or writing about how NASA shapes national priorities and innovation, you’ll probably find her on a Disney cruise ship (the Fantasy will always be her favorite), scanning the horizon for rocket launches.
The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense.
Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb 