Launch Log 2006

Spacecraft Systems Engineering

The material in this book is essential for engineers studying and working in the field of spacecraft design. The unique feature of this book is that its coverage aims at giving the breadth which is needed by system engineers, with an emphasis on the bus aspect rather than on the payload. This third edition has been completely revised and incorporates the most recent advances in technology.

Spaceflight Revolution

A revolution in spaceflight is likely soon, with the prospect of everyday access to orbit. Costly ballistic missiles used to launch vehicles will be replaced by "spaceplanes", using technology that already exists. In a few years' time, a prototype could be built, and with further detailed development, the design could approach airliner maturity, reducing the cost of sending people into space some one thousand times. Spaceplane development has, in effect, been suppressed by entrenched thinking and short-term vested interests. But the present monopoly of large government space agencies is becoming unsupportable, and the market that understands the very real opportunities for space travel will be reaching critical mass in the near future. This is an examination of these issues, showing why space tourism will one day become the single largest business in space, and how astronomy will be transformed by low-cost access making practicable instruments orders of magnitude larger than those today.

Space, the Final Frontier?

What are our motivations for going into space? Where does our long-term space future lie? Why, and how, should we strive to reach, if not for the stars, at least for the Moon and Mars? This exciting book looks first at the progress that has already been made in our attempts to explore and expand beyond the Earth. Current and past space technologies and space stations are described, and the effects of the space environment on the human body are explained. A discussion of the merits of the robotic exploration of space is followed by a look at our exploration of the Moon and Mars. Final chapters touch on propulsion methods required for leaving our solar system, and ask which of the possibilities for future space travel is most likely to succeed. This thought provoking book will appeal to all those with an interest in the future of space exploration.

At the Edge of Space

Thompson, one of the twelve test pilots on the X-15 programme, gives an insider's view of late-night uncertainties in desert bars, monumental technical challenges and the record-breaking flights themselves.

The Continuing Story of the International Space Station

The author is a leading expert on astronautics being the Press Officer for the Royal Astronomical Society and consultant for the European Space Agency. In his book, Peter Bond describes the development and evolution of space stations from Salyut 1 right through to the International Space Station (ISS).

Virtual Apollo:
A Pictorial Essay of the Engineering and Construction of the Apollo Command and Service Modules

With this book, for the first time the public can become acquainted with the Apollo spacecraft in detail and learn the story of its design and construction. Full color drawings in exacting detail provide inside and out views of the Command and Service Modules complete with details of construction and fabrication.

The Apollo spacecraft is the most intricate and exacting machine ever built, and it had to be as near to perfect as it could be made, every time. With over 3 million components, a performance record of 99.9% would still leave 3,000 parts that could fail -- any one of which might result in the deaths of the crew. With the exception of Apollo 13, the spacecraft lived up to expectations on every lunar mission, and even Apollo 13, after a major explosion, managed to circle the Moon and bring its crew home safely.

Virtual Apollo is a book long overdue; the care and completeness with which it has been created speak for themselves. Thanks to the dedication and hard work that have gone into this book, we can now truly appreciate the magnificent machine that was the Apollo spacecraft and marvel at the achievements of the many thousands of engineers and technicians who stayed on Earth but were on the mission every step of the way.