Astronautics Books

Book SynopsisThe untold story of the historic voyage to the moon that closed out one of our darkest years with a nearly unimaginable triumph.In August 1968, NASA made a bold decision: in just sixteen weeks, the United States would launch humankind's first flight to the moon. Only the year before, three astronauts had burned to death in their spacecraft, and since then the Apollo program had suffered one setback after another. Meanwhile, the Russians were winning the space race, the Cold War was getting hotter by the month, and President Kennedy's promise to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade seemed sure to be broken. But when Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders were summoned to a secret meeting and told of the dangerous mission, they instantly signed on.Written with all the color and verve of the best narrative non-fiction, Apollo 8 takes us from Mission Control to the astronaut's homes, from the test labs to the launch pad. The race to prepare an u

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Book SynopsisPublisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product.A single source of essential information for aerospace engineersThis fully revised resource presents theories and practices from more than 50 specialists in the many sub-disciplines of aeronautical and astronautical engineeringâall under one cover. The Standard Handbook for Aerospace Engineers, Second Edition, contains complete details on classic designs as well as the latest techniques, materials, and processes used in aviation, defense, and space systems. You will get insightful, practical coverage of the gamut of aerospace engineering technologies along with hundreds of informative diagrams, charts, and graphs.Standard Handbook for Aerospace Engineers, Second Edition covers:â

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Book SynopsisThe most comprehensive guide to aircraft powerplantsâfully updated for the latest advances and regulationsThis up-to-date guide contains all the information you need to master the operation and maintenance of aircraft engines and achieve FAA Powerplant certification. The book offers plain-language explanations of all current engine components, mechanics, and technologies. This tenth edition features expanded coverage of turbine engine theory, operational procedures, maintainability, engine systems operation, and propeller systems. You will get new examples, exercises, and practice exam questions as well as revised content to align with 2022 FAA regulations. Hundreds of detailed diagrams and real-world examples throughout illustrate each topic. In addition, an up-to-date solutions manual is available online.Aircraft Powerplants: Powerplant Certification, Tenth Edition covers: Aircraft powerplant classification and progress Reciprocating-

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Book SynopsisCan astronauts reach Mars by 2035? Absolutely, says Buzz Aldrin, one of the first men to walk on the moon. Celebrated astronaut, brilliant engineer, bestselling author, Aldrin believes it is not only possibly but vital to America’s future to keep pushing the space frontier outward for the sake of exploration, science, development, commerce, and security. What we need, he argues, is a commitment by the U.S. President as rousing as JFK’s promise to reach the moon by the end of the 1960s—an audacious, inspiring goal-and a unified vision for space exploration. In Mission to Mars, Aldrin plots that trajectory, stressing that American-led space exploration is essential to the economic and technological vitality of the nation and the world. Do you dare to dream big? Then join Aldrin in his thought provoking and inspiring Mission to Mars.Trade ReviewColonising space is essential for the long term survival of the human race, and Buzz Aldrin's book shows us how. - Stephen Hawking

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Book SynopsisHistory, evolution and packaging.- Machine organization.- Interpretive instructions.- The executive program.- Important background routines.- Display and keyboard (DSKY).- I/O devices and interfaces.- Application programs.- Erasable memory programs.- Interaction with the ground.- Selected case studies.- Epilogue.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This exceedingly valuable work will give present day Computer Science students the background to understand how the dramatic breakthroughs in Logical Design, Computer Architecture, Computer Language Interpreters and Real-Time Executive Software was invented, and how it worked in practice. … This excellent reference will form a model for teaching and learning historical Computer Architectures and Software so that future Computer Scientists can understand and learn the original ideas that today guide their field.” (Ira Laefsky, Amazon, September, 2010)Table of Contents-History, evolution and packaging. -Machine organization. -Interpretive instructions. -The executive program. -Important background routines.-Display and keyboard (DSKY). -I/O devices and interfaces. -Application programs. -Eraseable memory programs. -Interaction with the ground. -Selected case studies. -Epilogue.

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Book SynopsisThe inspiring story of a migrant farmworker turned astronaut

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Book SynopsisFirst flown in 1969, Concorde was the first supersonic aircraft to go into commercial service in 1976 and made her final flight in 2003. She was operated primarily by British Airways and Air France. British Airways'' Concordes made just under 50,000 flights and flew more than 2.5 million passengers supersonically. A typical London to New York crossing would take a little less than three and a half hours compared to around eight hours for a subsonic flight. In November 1986 a Concorde flew around the world, covering 28,238 miles in 29 hours, 59 minutes.Today, Concordes can be viewed at museums across US, including in New York, Seattle, and Washington D.C. However, there have been recent reports suggest that a Concorde may start operating commercially again. Through a series of key documents the book tells the story of how the aircraft was designed and developed, as well as ground-breaking moments in her commercial history.

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Book SynopsisFInd out how NASA creates and leads stellar teams and how you can bring Mission Control leadership to your organization.Trade ReviewCompelling. It is adherence to principles like those at Mission Control that helps prevent something slipping by that could bankrupt the company or wipe out previous accomplishments. * Forbes *Former NASA flight director Paul Sean Hill tells the true story of the game-changing transformation of Mission Control's senior leadership team. Hill's candor and intensity makes this a fascinating read for every leader! -- Ken Blanchard, co-author of 'The One-Minute Manager'Filled with fascinating insights, every leader will find parallels to their own organization. A must-have for anyone leading a high-performance team and an invaluable addition to any business library. -- Marshall Goldsmith, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller 'Triggers'This is an arresting work. No leader or manager can fail to benefit from the lessons captured here. -- Michael D. Griffin, NASA Administrator, 2005-09 and Schafer Corporation CEOHard-won lessons for business executives and leaders who want to learn from the best team on the planet. This book, like its author, is one-of-a kind. -- Mary Lynne Dittmar, President, Coalition for Deep Space Exploration and former member, Human Spaceflight Committee, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and MedicineThis engaging book tells the story of how NASA's renowned Mission Control evolved into an extraordinary team that directed many of the world's greatest technical triumphs. Leaders from every organization will benefit from these vital lessons. -- Walter E. Natemeyer, Chairman and CEO, North American Training and DevelopmentMission Control is the leadership laboratory for those who accept the challenge and the risk of ultimate responsibility for all actions necessary for crew safety and mission success in manned spaceflight. Paul Sean Hill is a select graduate. -- Eugene F. Kranz, former NASA Flight Director and Director of Mission Operations, 1983–94Former director of missions operations Hill offers a personal glimpse into the inner workings of America's space agency, and how companies can achieve success under the most intense pressure. * HR Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIt provides detailed derivations for attitude kinematics and dynamics and provides detailed description of the most widely used attitude parameterization, the quaternion.Trade Review“The present book presents the fundamental concepts and mathematical basis for spacecraft attitude description and control. … Every chapter and appendix contains a rich references. After reading this book, the reader will be convinced that the intended audience for it consists of graduate students, Ph.D. students and scientists with an interest in spacecraft attitude determination and control.” (Clementina Mladenova, zbMATH 1381.70006, 2018)“It is of exceptional quality in both the range of subjects covered and the detail of that coverage. … this book has a lot to offer to those of us involved in the developments and data processing for such projects, describing in detail external forces as well as the effects of non-rigidity. … this is a very worthwhile volume, highly recommended for anyone involved in astronomical or other satellite projects.” (Floor van Leeuwen, The Observatory, Vol. 135 (1246), June, 2015)“This is an excellent book. Markley … and Crassidis (Univ. of Buffalo) have succeeded in creating a work that is a good textbook for both upper-level undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners. … book ends with several appendixes that further support the rest of the book and also provide novice practitioners with a good resource to help them understand the more technical and complicated material. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Aerospace engineering collections serving upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.” (D. B. Spencer, Choice, Vol. 52 (7), March, 2015)Table of ContentsAttitude Determination and Estimation.- Matrices, Vectors, Frames, Transforms.- Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics.- Sensors and Actuators.- Static Attitude Determination Methods.- Filtering for Attitude Determination.- Attitude Control.

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Book SynopsisThe human story of the Space Shuttle program from the aftermath of the Challenger accident and ending with the final flight in 2011. Trade Review"[An] enthusiastic portrayal of the heroic age of American space travel."—Publishers Weekly "Houston focuses on themes and makes extensive (and effective) use of oral histories provided by astronauts and others."—J. Z. Kiss, Choice"Houston preserves the candid reflections of some who wrote the shuttle's story aloft, and their exultations and confessions are reason enough to fly with them until "wheels stop.""—Air and Space“When we talk about the Space Shuttle, we talk about the people. Author Rick Houston’s work here takes it a step further. He reaches to the heart and soul of the people.”—Milt Heflin, former lead Space Shuttle flight director and chief of the flight director office“With the Space Shuttle program now at an end, documenting the amazing thirty-year career of these iconic orbiters holds an untold amount of historical importance. Spaceflight isn’t easy, people pay in blood and sweat to make it happen. Author Rick Houston lends a voice to some of the key people involved in what is not only an American treasure but a global superstar.”—Chris Bergin, managing editor, NASASpaceflight.com“Rick Houston skillfully recounts the shuttle program from a front row center seat, full of engaging, first person accounts—direct from the flight deck and the vacuum of space during some of the program’s wildest spacewalks. From triumph to tragedy and back again, this book is the next best thing to being there.”—Dr. Scott Parazynski, five-time shuttle astronaut and Everest mountaineerTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Back in the Game 2. Cloak and Dagger, Science on Orbit 3. Hubble Huggers 4. Sleeping with the Enemy 5. A Home on Orbit 6. "The Debris Was Talking to Me" 7. "We Came Home" 8. A Kick in the Pants 9. The End of an Era 10. A Magnificent Machine Epilogue Sources Index

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Book SynopsisSpace Age Adventures is a guidebook that recounts short entertaining stories from spaceflight history and details more than one hundred adventurous sites across the United States, including air and space museums, outdoor astronaut training locations, and historic destinations for space enthusiasts.Trade Review“Part travel guidebook and part history lesson, anyone with even a passing interest in space will appreciate this resource. Mike Bezemek has created a long-needed and well-organized reference for planning trips to space-themed destinations in the United States. I had no idea all these places existed and appreciate how the included stories reference artifacts or displays that can be visited in person. Well done!”—Jay Gallentine, author of Infinity Beckoned: Adventuring through the Inner Solar System, 1969–1989“Mike Bezemek shows that the next best thing to a flight into space is visiting the many places on Earth related to space exploration. In addition to sharing the exciting stories behind the museum artifacts, Space Age Adventures takes readers to launch sites, astronomical observatories, and space museums around the United States. His work has provided me with lots of new ideas for space places to visit in the years to come.”—Chris Gainor, author of To a Distant Day: The Rocket PioneersTable of ContentsPreface: Spaces Sites and Stories Becoming a Space Age Adventurer Using This Book and Must-See Sites 1. The First Rockets 2. Birth of the Space Rocket 3. The V-2 Sites in Washington DC and Virginia Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC Smithsonian Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly VA NASA Goddard Visitor Center, Greenbelt MD NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center, Wallops Island VA Virginia Air and Space Science Center, Hampton VA 4. The Cold War 5. Conquering Space 6. The Satellites Sites in New York City and the Northeast Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York NY American Museum of Natural History, New York NY Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City NY McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord NH Moonshot Museum, Pittsburgh PA Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh PA 7. The Space Race 8. Mercury vs. Vostok 9. In the Thick of It Sites Near Cape Canaveral, Florida Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island FL Sands Space History Center, Cape Canaveral FL American Space Museum, Titusville FL 10. The Rise of Apollo 11. Adventures and Lessons 12. A Focus on the Moon Sites in the South and on the Gulf Coast Museum of Life and Science, Durham NC Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville GA U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville AL National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola FL Infinity Science Center and NASA Stennis Visitor Center, Pearlington MS Space Center Houston, Houston TX Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas TX SpaceX Starbase Launch Viewing, South Padre Island TX 13. Bold Steps and Tragic Setbacks 14. Closing In 15. Around the Moon Sites in the Midwest Great Lakes Science Center and NASA Glenn Visitor Center, Cleveland OH International Women’s Air and Space Museum, Cleveland OH National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton OH Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta OH Grissom Memorial at Spring Mill State Park, Mitchell IN Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Experience, Kalamazoo MI Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago IL Adler Planetarium, Chicago IL St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis MO 16. 1969 17. They Came from Outer Space 18. The Landings Continue Sites in the Great Plains Stafford Air and Space Museum, Weatherford OK Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City OK Cosmosphere Space Museum, Hutchison KS Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Ashland NE South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Box Elder SD 19. The End of the Space Race 20. Aiming for the Stars 21. The Soviets Regroup Sites in the Southwest New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo NM White Sands Missile Range Museum and Missile Park, White Sands NM Spaceport America, Truth or Consequences NM Roswell Museum and International UFO Museum & Research Center, Roswell NM 000 Very Large Array, Socorro NM New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque NM National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Albuquerque NM Space Foundation Discovery Center, Colorado Springs CO Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, Denver CO Space and Science Fiction Sites, Southern Utah Meteor Crater, Winslow AZ Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff AZ Astronaut Training Sites, Northern Arizona Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson AZ Titan Missile Museum, Green Valley AZ National Atomic Testing Museum and Nevada National Security Site, Las Vegas NV000 Extraterrestrial Highway, Highway 375 NV 22. Adventures in Orbit 23. Destination Deep Space 24. The Billionaires’ Space Race Sites on the West Coast San Diego Air and Space Museum, San Diego CA California Science Center, Los Angeles CA Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles CA More Space Sites, Southern California Science Fiction Film Sites, California Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland CA USS Hornet Sea, Air, and Space Museum, Alameda CA Aerospace Museum of California, Sacramento CA Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, McMinnville OR Museum of Flight, Seattle WA Appendix of Resources Bibliography

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Book SynopsisChristopher A. Roosa grew up the eldest son of Apollo 14 astronaut and command module pilot Stuart A. Roosa. As a child of the space program, Christopher had a ringside seat at the dinner table of one of twenty-four Americans who had either entered lunar orbit or landed on the moon. The first book written by an offspring of an Apollo astronaut to focus on growing up in that era, Son of Apollo tells the inside story of the life of his father, a man who had a remarkable career despite always believing his air force career was off-track, from his initial application to the service to his removal from the prime crew of Apollo 13 and his subsequent assignment to Apollo 14. During the Apollo 13 mission and recovery, Stuart played an integral role in developing the procedures to return the crew to Earth safely. The focus-and the pressure-of the entire Apollo program then shifted to the Apollo 14 mission. If the Apollo program was to continue, Stuart and the Apollo 14 crew would need to get safely to the moon, land, and return. In writing about his father's career, Christopher Roosa also shows us a familial side of the Apollo experience, from the daily struggles of growing up in the shadow of a father who was necessarily away in training most of the year to the expectations involved in being an astronaut's son. Roosa's story shows the Apollo era was the result not only of thousands of scientists and engineers working steadfastly toward achieving an assassinated president's national goal but also the families who supported them and lived the missions in their own way. For more information about the book visit roosa.comTrade Review"Readers will appreciate Christopher Roosa’s memories and walk away from the book with admiration both for him and his father."—Tyler Peterson, H-Sci-Med-Tech"Oklahoman Stuart Roosa would be proud that his son took time to let the world know what it was like in those exciting years to be the son of Apollo."—Bill Moore, Chronicles of Oklahoma“U.S. Marine Corps Reserve colonel Christopher Roosa provides a unique view of the Apollo program from the perspective of an astronaut’s child. This book belongs on the shelf of everyone who revered the space program, as well as the values we seek to emulate from it within our families.”—Stephen M. Ryan, general counsel to Sen. John Glenn, who flew on Friendship 7 and space shuttle Discovery (STS-95)“Australia has played a role in NASA’s programs since Apollo 14, with Phil Chapman on the support team. But space has always been about not only the astronauts but their families. Now a pilot’s son reflects on those heady days from the perspective of the children and the families. A great read.”—Paul Scully-Power, Australia’s first astronaut, who flew on space shuttle Challenger (STS-41-G)“Having had my own children witness what it was like in those days of the Apollo program, it’s great that Christopher Roosa has written a story from the viewpoint of those who had a seat at the table. He shares family stories that only someone growing up during the Apollo program would know. An interesting read for space enthusiasts and those with gun and outdoor interests.”—Maj. Gen. Bill Anders, U.S. Air Force Reserve, lunar module pilot on Apollo 8“Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa was an accomplished test pilot and smoke jumper whose career took him to the moon, where he spent a day and a half completely alone in lunar orbit. He observed and photographed the moon with a detail no human had ever before captured. His early death in the last century robbed us of many firsthand insights. Yet only a family member can tell us what it was truly like to be around a lunar explorer—not only during their NASA glory years but also when faced with the question every moon voyager faced when returning to Earth: what do they do next?”—Francis French, space historian and editor of Apollo Pilot: The Memoir of Astronaut Donn EiseleTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword Preface Prologue 1. The Launch of Apollo 14 2. The Roosa Family 3. Growing Up in Claremore 4. Life after Claremore 5. Flight Training 6. The Barrett Family 7. Meeting My Mother 8. Early Family Life 9. Houston, Texas 10. Getting on a Flight 11. Apollo Casualties 12. Pastimes 13. Apollo 11 14. Apollo 13 15. Apollo 14 16. Moon Trees 17. The Country Western Tapes 18. Postflight 19. Tales from the Road 20. Apollo Launches 21. Astronaut Downtime 22. Growing Up after Apollo 14 23. The Apollo Groupie Scene 24. Apollo 17 25. Reflections of an Apollo Command Module Pilot 26. The Last Flight of Apollo 27. Leaving NASA 28. My Father’s Passing Epilogue

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Book Synopsis“Scott Parazynski’s drive, curiosity, inventiveness, and great humor shine through the pages of The Sky Below and will certainly inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with every fiber in their being.” —John Glenn, NASA astronaut An epic memoir from a man whose life is defined by exploration and innovation, The Sky Below re-creates some of the most unforgettable adventures of our time. From dramatic, high-risk spacewalks to author Scott Parazynski’s death-defying quest to summit Mount Everest—his body ravaged by a career in space—readers will experience the life of an elite athlete, physician, and explorer. This intimate, compelling account offers a rare portrait of space exploration from the inside. A global nomad raised in the shadow of NASA’s Apollo missions, Parazynski never lost sight of his childhood dream to one day don a spacesuit and float outside the airlock. With deep passion, unbridled creativity, resilience, humility, and self-deprecation, Parazynski chases his dream of the ultimate adventure experience, again and again and again. In an era that transitioned from moon shots to the Space Shuttle, space station, and Mars research, Parazynski flies with John Glenn, tests jet packs, trains in Russia to become a cosmonaut, and flies five missions to outer space (including seven spacewalks) in his seventeen-year NASA career. An unparalleled, visceral opportunity to understand what it’s like to train for—and deploy to—a home in zero gravity, The Sky Below also portrays an astronaut’s engagement with the challenges of his life on Earth, including raising a beautiful autistic daughter and finding true love.

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Book SynopsisNASAs Commercial Crew Program is a multi-phased effort that began in 2010. Across the phases, NASA has engaged several companies, using both agreements and contract vehicles to develop and demonstrate crew transportation capabilities. As the program has passed through these phases, NASA has generally narrowed down the number of participants. NASAs mission is to drive advances in science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration, and contribute to education, innovation, our countrys economic vitality, and the stewardship of the Earth. To accomplish this mission, NASA establishes programs and projects that rely on complex instruments and spacecraft. NASAs portfolio of major projects ranges from space satellites equipped with advanced sensors to study the Earth to a telescope intended to explore the universe to spacecraft to transport humans and cargo to and beyond low-Earth orbit.

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Book SynopsisFeaturing over seventy images from the heroic age of space exploration, Through Astronaut Eyes presents the story of how human daring along with technological ingenuity allowed people to see the Earth and stars as they never had before. Photographs from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs tell powerful and compelling stories that continue to have cultural resonance to this day, not just for what they revealed about the spaceflight experience, but also as products of a larger visual rhetoric of exploration. The photographs tell us as much about space and the astronauts who took them as their reception within an American culture undergoing radical change throughout the turbulent 1960s. This book explores the origins and impact of astronaut still photography from 1962 to 1972, the period when human spaceflight first captured the imagination of people around the world. Photographs taken during those three historic programs are much admired and reprinted, but rarely seriously studied. This book suggests astronaut photography is particularly relevant to American culture based on how easily the images were shared through reproduction and circulation in a very visually oriented society. Space photography's impact at the crossroads of cultural studies, the history of exploration and technology, and public memory illuminates its continuing importance to American identity.Table of Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION: Interpreting Astronaut Photography CHAPTER 1: Why an Amateur Needs a Better Camera than a Professional CHAPTER 2: Photographs for Every Audience CHAPTER 3: Images of Exploration CHAPTER 4: The Afterlife of Astronaut Photography EPILOGUE: Continuing Resonance Notes Archival and Bibliographic Sources Index

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Book SynopsisThis is the first full-length history of the X-43 project, written by the project historian at Dryden Flight Research Center. The project achieved the first in-flight testing of a scramjet engine, at speeds of nearly Mach 7 and Mach 10.The author recorded the history as it was taking place. He received updates and documents, attended the engineering meetings, witnessed the emergency procedure training of the flight controllers, was at the flight readiness review and preflight briefings, and watched the third flight from one of the control rooms. After the third flight, he interviewed many of the X-43A engineers and managers about their still-fresh experiences and recollections.Based on that exclusive access, the book illustrates - with real-world examples - how groundbreaking technology unfolds. It details the development of the scramjet over the last half-century, providing the reader with an understanding of how external factors influence a new technology.The book begins with the invention of the scramjet concept, and then details the projects of the 1960s through the 1980s and why they failed.It describes how the X-43 developed from these events, and follows the transformation from the original idea through hardware development and testing, the loss of the first vehicle, the return to flight, and the success of the second and third flights, and explains what was accomplished.The book is written with the engineering student in mind, to provide an understanding of what they will experience once they join the work force. Flight enthusiasts will love the photos and videos documenting this exciting program. This volume was produced in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.Table of ContentsIntroduction; Phoenix from the Ashes; The March to the First Flight; X-43A Checkout and Emergency Procedures Training; 13.5 Seconds; Return to Flight; Ct > Cd; To the Edge of the Envelope; To the Far Horizon.

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Book SynopsisLocked in a desperate Cold War race against the Soviets to find out if humans could survive in space and live through a free fall from space vehicles, the Pentagon gave civilian adventurer Nick Piantanida’s Project Strato-Jump little notice until May Day, 1966. Operating in the shadows of well-funded, high-visibility Air Force and Navy projects, the former truck driver and pet store owner set a new world record for manned balloon altitude. Rising more than 23 miles over the South Dakota prairie, Piantanida nearly perished trying to set the world record for the highest free fall parachute jump from that height. On his next attempt, he would not be so lucky. Part harrowing adventure story, part space history, part psychological portrait of an extraordinary risk-taker, this story fascinates and intrigues the armchair adventurer in all of us.

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Book SynopsisA rich visual history of real and fictional space stations, illustrating pop culture's influence on the development of actual space stations and vice versaSpace stations represent both the summit of space technology and, possibly, the future of humanity beyond Earth. Space Stations: The Art, Science, and Reality of Working in Space takes the reader deep into the heart of past, present, and future space stations, both real ones and those dreamed up in popular culture. This lavishly illustrated book explains the development of space stations from the earliest fictional visions through historical and current programs--including Skylab, Mir, and the International Space Station--and on to the dawning possibilities of large-scale space colonization. Engrossing narrative and striking images explore not only the spacecraft themselves but also how humans experience life aboard them, addressing everything from the development of efficient meal preparation methods to experiments in space-based botany. The book examines cutting-edge developments in government and commercial space stations, including NASA's Deep Space Habitats, the Russian Orbital Technologies Commercial Space Station, and China's Tiangong program. Throughout, Space Stations also charts the fascinating depiction of space stations in popular culture, whether in the form of children's toys, comic-book spacecraft, settings in science-fiction novels, or the backdrop to TV series and Hollywood movies. Space Stations is a beautiful and captivating history of the idea and the reality of the space station from the nineteenth century to the present day.

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Book Synopsis Looking up at the stars at the age of ten, John Casper dreamed of being a space explorer. The Sky Above tells how persistence and determination led to flying in space, after serving the nation as a combat fighter pilot and test pilot. Despite life-threatening experiences and failures, his spiritual faith was pivotal in overcoming life's challenges. Through vivid storytelling, the reader rides alongside the author in the cockpit, feeling the fear of enemy antiaircraft fire and the pressure of high g-forces during combat maneuvering. His insider accounts of four Space Shuttle missions vividly describe exhilarating launches, the magical experience of weightlessness, and the magnificent beauty of Earth from hundreds of miles above. A central theme running throughout Casper's life is his faith, as he struggles with the loss of fellow pilots and confronts life's inconsistencies and disappointments. This is a story about his growth and trust in his Creator, whose tenacious spirit never left him, even during the devastating Challenger and Columbia disasters. Readers interested in stories of true adventure or overcoming adversity will discover unique drama and insight. Those trying to reach their dreams, whatever they are, will find inspiration; those unsure or challenged in their faith will find encouragement. Table of Contents Part I 1. A Lesson in Courage 2. My Crazy Dream 3. First Adventures 4. Ramblin' Wrecks, Falcons, and Boilermakers Part II 5. Tweets, Talons, and Super Sabres 6. Combat with the Lucky Devils 7. Cold War Fighter Pilot 8. Experimental Test Pilot 9. Life in the Puzzle Palace Part III 10. Challenger and Return to Flight 11. Space Shuttle Rookie 12. Space Shuttle Commander 13. Microgravity Lab 14. Saving the Space Station 15. A Four-Rendezvous Flight Part IV 16. Safety Director 17. The Unthinkable Happens 18. Return to Flight . . . Again 19. First Test Flight of Orion Acknowledgments Appendix: Aircraft and Spacecraft Flown Glossary Notes Bibliography About the Author

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Book SynopsisFeaturing more than 600 photos, Photographing America's First Astronauts: Project Mercury Through the Lens of Bill Taub is the most complete photographic account of Project Mercury ever published. Previous Project Mercury books largely have relied on the relatively limited number of photos released by NASA. This book, however, showcases hundreds of never-before-seen images of America's first manned space program by NASA's first staff photographer, Bill Taub. Taub went everywhere with the Mercury astronauts, capturing their daily activities from 1959 to 1963. As a result, his photos provide a unique and intimate behind-the-scenes look at the people and operations of Project Mercury in real time.Drawing on Taub's recently discovered archive of thousands of black-and-white and color prints, slides, and transparencies, this is the first book to comprehensively visually document Project Mercury. No previous book has devoted as many images to each of the Mercury Seven astronauts and their pioneering spaceflights. Other chapters cover astronaut selection and training, NASA management, and facilities at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Each image is accompanied by a detailed caption. The foreword is by legendary NASA Flight Director Eugene Kranz.Table of Contents Foreword by Eugene Kranz Introduction About the Photography Acknowledgments 1. Steps to Space 2. The People of Mercury 3. Alan Shepard/Mercury-Redstone 3 4. Gus Grissom/Mercury-Redstone 4 5. John Glenn/Mercury-Atlas 6 6. Deke Slayton/Destiny Delayed 7. Scott Carpenter/Mercury-Atlas 7 8. Wally Schirra/Mercury-Atlas 8 9. Gordon Cooper/Mercury-Atlas 9 10. Beyond Mercury Abbreviations Bibliography About Bill Taub About the Authors

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Book Synopsis One of the most elusive and controversial figures in NASA’s history, George W. S. Abbey was called “the Dark Lord,” “the Godfather,” and “UNO”—short for unidentified NASA official. He was said to be secretive, despotic, a Space Age Machiavelli. Yet Abbey had more influence on human spaceflight than almost anyone in history. His story has never been told—until now. The Astronaut Maker takes readers inside NASA to learn the real story of how Abbey rose to power, from young pilot and wannabe astronaut to engineer, bureaucrat, and finally director of the Johnson Space Center. During a thirty-seven-year career, mostly out of the spotlight, he oversaw the selection of every astronaut class from 1978 to 1987, deciding who got to fly and when. He was with the Apollo 1 astronauts the night before the fatal fire in January 1967. He was in mission control the night of the Apollo 13 accident and organized the recovery effort. Abbey also led NASA’s recruitment of women and minorities as space shuttle astronauts and was responsible for hiring Sally Ride. Written by Michael Cassutt, the coauthor of the acclaimed astronaut memoirs DEKE! and We Have Capture, and informed by countless hours of interviews with Abbey and his family, friends, adversaries, and former colleagues, The Astronaut Maker is the ultimate insider’s account of ambition and power politics at NASA.Trade Review"NASA buffs will be fascinated by this profile of an undervalued figure whose most significant legacy, Cassutt concludes, was at the human levelmaking 'spaceflight available to all, regardless of citizenship, gender, color, or ethnic background.'" - Publishers Weekly"The real book about the manned space program would be a book about George Abbey." Richard Truly, former astronaut and administrator of NASA

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Book SynopsisPreviously available in Kindle format only, Launching Into Commercial Space chronicles the dawn of a fast-moving commercial space age in which initiative from the private sector is launching innovation into tomorrow. With the door closed on the Space Shuttle-era, the revolutionary commercial ""Space Billionaires"" of the 21st century are opening a new door. This is the story of the pioneers and private companies around the globe currently developing new spacecraft, planning futuristic spaceports, and seeking to offer a range of ""space travel"" services for all. Features the history, accomplishments, and future endeavors of: Paul Allen, Stratolaunch Systems, Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin, Robert Bigelow, Bigelow Aerospace, Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic, John Carmack, Armadillo Aerospace, Elon Musk, Space X. Focuses on the companies expanding their commercial space activities, including: Alliant ATK, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Space X, Stratolauncher, Virgin Galactic.

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Book SynopsisThis exciting new book discusses the motivation for the evolution of a new breed of High Throughput Satellites (HTS) that have emerged from traditional communications satellites. It explores the commercial sectors and technical context that have shaped HTS. The historical underpinnings of HTS are provided to highlight the requirements that dimension these satellites. A survey of operational GEO HTS systems is also included. Readers will understand the technical, operational and commercial context of HTS systems, as well as the performance of the current HTS system. This initial breed of satellites was limited to geostationary satellites, but it is quickly projecting into low earth orbit (LEO) constellations, often referred to as mega-constellations. The industrial and operational facets of LEO constellations are challenging. The characteristics of GEO and LEO systems are presented to understand the differences between the two systems. The book also explores the evolution of the current HTS payload architectures, as well as theoretical methodology is presented for the capacity estimation for both the FORWARD link and RETURN link, which can be used for preliminary HTS dimensioning and can be adapted to practical scenarios.Table of ContentsIntroduction; The Communication Mission Requirements; Specific Communication Mission Requirements; The Evolution of the Current HTS Payload Architectures; HTS System Analysis: The FORWARD Link; HTS System Analysis: The RETURN Link; Current GEO HTS Systems; Non-Geostationary Systems; HTS Systems in the 5G Ecosystem; The Evolving Broadband Satellite Environment.

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Book SynopsisIn the span of a single lifetime, light pollution stemming from Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) has severed our connection with the stars that we've had since the dawn of time. With the nocturnal biosphere significantly altered, light's anthropogenic influence has compelled millions of people to seek out the last remaining dark skies.This book explores the burgeoning growth of the astrotourism market, identifies star seeker trends, how the stars have shaped civilizations, and the budding space tourism industry.Discover ways to develop a destination for those who will cater to the astrotourist, share the night with guests, how to find customers, and the 2024 Great North American Eclipse. Meteor storms, eclipses, auroras, and other celestial phenomena have lured travellers for years. Here, the author expands the field of astrotourism with the inclusion of astronomical clocks, megaliths, and sundials, which are used to track the movement of the stars.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisDesigned between 1969 and 1972 and first flown into space in 1981, the NASA Shuttle will have flown almost 140 missions by the time it is retired in 2010. David Baker describes the origin of the reusable launch vehicle concept during the 1960s, its evolution into a viable flying machine in the early 1970s, and its subsequent design, engineering, construction and operation. The Shuttle's internal layout and systems are explained, including the operation of life support, electrical power production, cooling, propulsion, flight control, communications, landing and avionics systems. 'an astrogeek's insider dream' www.sciencebase.comTrade Review'an astrogeek's insider dream' www.sciencebase.com ‘detailed insight...wonderful...An inspiring read.’ Spaceflight ‘a must-have item’ BBC Sky At Night Magazine Table of ContentsDetailed 'how it works' Haynes Manual treatment. A fascinating insight into the design, construction and operation of the NASA Space Shuttle. Expert author who has worked on the Apollo and Shuttle space programmes. Fully illustrated with NASA photographs and drawings. Publication will be at the closure of the Space Shuttle story as the final flight is expected in late 2010.

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Book SynopsisSpace is far bigger than humanity can conceive. Although our ancestors visually examined the skies to make sense of the Universe for centuries, space exploration in its truest sense is just a moment in this historical timeline, yet it is how we've significantly improved our understanding of the cosmos. This book begins with the evolution of astronomy, including notable characters, scientific breakthroughs and pinnacle moments. It delves into the development of robotic spacecraft and what uncrewed and crewed missions have uncovered. It questions how this knowledge will aid us in our future space adventures, and highlights the myriad questions that remain unanswered. From stargazing to stepping on the Moon, and from space stations to the prospect of commercial spaceflight, learn more in Dhara Patel's concise history of space exploration.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThis textbook provides readers with a good working knowledge of adaptive control theory through applications. It is intended for students beginning masters or doctoral courses, and control practitioners wishing to get up to speed in the subject expeditiously. Readers are taught a wide variety of adaptive control techniques starting with simple methods and extending step-by-step to more complex ones. Stability proofs are provided for all adaptive control techniques without obfuscating reader understanding with excessive mathematics. The book begins with standard model-reference adaptive control (MRAC) for first-order, second-order, and multi-input, multi-output systems. Treatment of least-squares parameter estimation and its extension to MRAC follow, helping readers to gain a different perspective on MRAC. Function approximation with orthogonal polynomials and neural networks, and MRAC using neural networks are also covered. Robustness issues connected with MRAC are discussed, helping the student to appreciate potential pitfalls of the technique. This appreciation is encouraged by drawing parallels between various aspects of robustness and linear time-invariant systems wherever relevant. Following on from the robustness problems is material covering robust adaptive control including standard methods and detailed exposition of recent advances, in particular, the author’s work on optimal control modification. Interesting properties of the new method are illustrated in the design of adaptive systems to meet stability margins. This method has been successfully flight-tested on research aircraft, one of various flight-control applications detailed towards the end of the book along with a hybrid adaptive flight control architecture that combines direct MRAC with least-squares indirect adaptive control. In addition to the applications, understanding is encouraged by the use of end-of-chapter exercises and associated MATLAB® files. Readers will need no more than the standard mathematics for basic control theory such as differential equations and matrix algebra; the book covers the foundations of MRAC and the necessary mathematical preliminaries.Trade Review“This book presents the fundamental theories of least-squares function approximation and least-squares adaptive control of systems with unstructured uncertainty. … The book is intended for students beginning masters or doctoral courses, and control practitioners wishing to get up to speed in the subject expeditiously.” (Vjacheslav Vasiliev, zbMATH 1405.93001, 2019)Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Nonlinear Systems.- Mathematical Preliminaries.- Lyspunov Stability Theory.- Model-Reference Adaptive Control.- Least-Squares Parameter Identification.- Function Approximation and Adaptive Control with Unstructured Uncertainty.- Robustness Issues with Adaptive Control.- Robust Adaptive Control.- Adaptive Control Applications.

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Book SynopsisIn 2019, China astonished the world by landing a spacecraft and rover on the far side of the Moon, something never achieved by any country before. China had already become the world’s leading spacefaring nation by rockets launched, sending more into orbit than any other. China is now a great space superpower alongside the United States and Russia, sending men and women into orbit, building a space laboratory (Tiangong) and sending probes to the Moon and asteroids. Roadmap 2050 promises that China will set up bases on the Moon and Mars and lead the world in science and technology by mid-century.China’s space programme is one of the least well-known, but this book will bring the reader up to date with its mysteries, achievements and exciting plans. China has built a fleet of new, powerful Long March rockets, four launch bases, tracking stations at home and abroad, with gleaming new design and production facilities. China is poised to build a large, permanent space station, bring back lunar rocks, assemble constellations of communications satellites and send spaceships to Mars, the moons of Jupiter and beyond. A self-sustaining lunar base, Yuegong, has already been simulated. In space, China is the country to watch. Trade Review“Brian has written a number of books on spaceflight for Springer and this new tome is an excellent addition to the stable.” (John Flannery, Orbit, Vol. 56 (1), 2021)“Harvey's consistency in publishing on China's space program makes him an academic authority on Chinese space activities. … A read of Harvey's book provides an excellent opportunity to comprehensively understand the technology and projects of China's space program.” (Astropolitics, Vol. 18 (1), 2020)“The most comprehensive and insightful review of the history, current status, and future plans of China’s space program is Brian Harvey’s most recent book, China in Space: The Great Leap Forward.” (Marsha Freeman, Quest, Vol. 27 (3), 2020)“This is a worthy reference book as well as a good read and your reviewer has no reservations in recommending Brian Harvey’s latest magnum opus. It is hard to see it being outclassed by other works yet to be published on this subject.” (David Baker, Spaceflight, Vol. 62, September, 2020)“Thanks for putting the effort into this indispensable tool for reading and studying. … This book is strongly recommended to all those newly-arrived young authors who find it fanciful to write about China's space programme on the web, but lack the knowledge and the understanding of the context.” (Jacqueline Myrrhe, GT Review, Issue 28, February 2020)“This book should find a place equally well on the shelves of great libraries and the corridors of political power, as much as it will find its place on the shelves of all who are passionate about or interested in space exploration.” (Kevin Nolan, Astronomy Ireland, January, 2020)Table of ContentsAcknowledgements.- Dedication.- About the Author.- Author’s Introduction.- Chapter 1: The far side of the Moon.- Chapter 2: Medieval rockets to first satellites.- Chapter 3: New rockets, launch sites and ships.- Chapter 4: Science and technology.- Chapter 5: Communications.- Chapter 6: Applications and military.- Chapter 7: Manned flight.- Chapter 8: To the Moon and Mars.- Chapter 9: China in perspective.- Glossary.- Appendix 1: Timeline of key dates in China’s space program.- Appendix 2: List of Chinese space launchings.- Bibliography.- Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book produces convincing evidence that exploiting the potential of space could help solve many environmental and social issues affecting our planet, such as pollution, overcrowding, resource depletion and conflicts, economic inequality, social unrest, economic instability and unemployment. It also touches on the legal problems that will be encountered with the implementation of the new technologies and new laws that will need to be enacted and new organizations that will need to be formed to deal with these changes.This proposition for a space economy is not science fiction, but well within the remit of current or under development technologies. Numerous technologies are described and put together to form a coherent and feasible road map that, if implemented, could lead humankind towards a brighter future. Table of Contents1. Space Exploration: What For?.- 2. Extraterrestrial Resources and Where to Find Them.- 3. Off-World Mining.- 4. Processing of Space Resources.- 5. The Art of Manufacturing in Space.- 6. Building Factories in Space.- 7. Making it Happen.- 8. For the Benefit of Humankind.- About the Author.- Index.

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Book SynopsisThis volume of the series Springer Briefs in Space Life Sciences explains the physics and biology of radiation in space, defines various forms of cosmic radiation and their dosimetry, and presents a range of exposure scenarios. It also discusses the effects of radiation on human health and describes the molecular mechanisms of heavy charged particles’ deleterious effects in the body. Lastly, it discusses countermeasures and addresses the vital question: Are we ready for launch? Written for researchers in the space life sciences and space biomedicine, and for master’s students in biology, physics, and medicine, the book will also benefit all non-experts endeavouring to understand and enter space.Table of Contents General Introduction: Small Particles, Large Effects (Berger, Baumstark, Hellweg, Matthiä) Radiation in Space – The Physics The Radiation Field in Space (Matthiä, Berger) i. Galactic cosmic rays ii. Solar radiation iii. Trapped radiation iv. Dose quantities The History of Space Radiation Dosimetry (Berger) i. From Mercury to MIR ii. Human Phantom Experiments Exposure Scenarios: Measuring and Modeling of Space Radiation (Berger, Matthiä) i. LEO ii. Interplanetary Space iii. Moon iv. Mars Radiation in Space – The Biology Acute Radiation Effects (Baumstark, Hellweg) Chronic and Late Radiation Effects (Baumstark, Hellweg) Radiation Risk Assessment (Baumstark, Hellweg) Molecular Mechanisms of Heavy Charged Particles Effects (Baumstark, Hellweg) Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Countermeasures (Baumstark, Hellweg) Challenges for Exploratory Missions (Berger, Baumstark, Hellweg, Matthiä) Dosimetry and Shielding: Are we Ready for Launch? Open Questions in Risk Assessment: Can we Tame the Radiation Risk? Countermeasures: Do we Know Enough?

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Book SynopsisThis open access book serves as a concise primer introducing the non-specialist reader to the physics of solar energetic particles (SEP). It systematically reviews the evidence for the two main mechanisms which lead to the so-called impulsive and gradual SEP events. This second edition contains two completely new chapters discussing element abundances and shock waves, reflecting new theoretical, modeling, and observational results. Existing chapters have been substantially expanded or updated with additions placed in a broader context.More specifically, the author discusses the timing of the onsets of SEPs, their longitude distributions, their high-energy spectral shapes, their correlations with other solar phenomena, as well as the all-important elemental and isotopic abundances. The book relates impulsive SEP events to magnetic reconnection in solar flares and jets. The concept of shock acceleration by scattering on self-amplified Alfvén waves is introduced, as is the evidence of reacceleration of impulsive-SEP material in the seed population accessed by the shocks in gradual events. The text then develops processes of transport of ions out to an observer. Finally, a technique to determine the source plasma temperature in both impulsive and gradual events is demonstrated.The author also mentions the role of SEP events as a radiation hazard in space and briefly discusses the nature of the main particle telescope designs that have contributed to most of the SEP measurements.Trade Review“Donald V. Reames presents a clear contemporary account of observational and theoretical studies of the principal families of solar energetic particles (SEPs) … . A delightful sense that this lively presentation is drawn from Reames’ decades of experimental investigations of SEPs pervades the book. … This excellent primer by Reames is a thorough account of SEP events with parallel discussions of the solar wind. It deserves to be read by stellar astronomers.” (David L. Lambert, The Observatory, Vol. 142 (1287), April, 2022)Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisThis book presents a step-by-step methodology for the design of ramjet engines. It explores ramjet combustion, provides guidelines on how to size the engines, and discusses performance analysis. The book begins with an introduction to ramjet design, including fundamental definitions in the field. It then discusses ramjet engine performance, and fuels which can be used. Several types of ramjet engines are then explored, and guidelines for their design are presented, including flame holders, injectors, and combustors. Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of the types of materials which should be used for ramjet engines. This book is of interest to engine designers and engineers, researchers, and graduate students, as it collates research in a succinct, clear guide to the issue of designing ramjet engines. Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Fundamental Definitions of Ramjet Engines.- Ramjet Engines Performance.- Ramjets Fuels.- Flameholders Design Guidelines.- Injectors Design Guidelines.- Combustor Design Guidelines.- Igniter Design Guidelines.- Material Selection for Ramjet Engines.

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