Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Comprehensive account of the past, present and future of rockets, missiles and space propulsion systems, presented in an interesting fashion that accommodates the non-scientist.
From the Inside Flap
This is primarily a book covering rocket science and space flight in the second millennium. In addition to those elements of rocket science based on the classical sciences, it has also been expanded to include quantum mechanics, which are required for an understanding of the "why" and "how" of the state of the art. The book started out simply as a look at the two most cogent aspects of rocket science - energy and economics - which are cornerstones of the US space program. However, it also adresses the space world that is emerging in the new millennium. In addition, you will be able to decipher the money-seeking babble of the various participating governments, ie., the US, Russia, Europe, the Third World, and the emerging Orient. After reading about the human aspects of space, you must decide for yourself whether it is worth your money (and the risk to your safety) to go into space. The limits of propulsion are examined quantitatively. This is followed by a list of sources, both conventional and electronic, should you wish to learn more. Remember, information (communications, weather and Earth surveillance) is the only product now showing a payoff in space. Everything else just costs.
When I originally coined the term "rocket science," it was applied to articles appearing in the Journal of the Detroit Rocket Society in January 1947. You will find that in this book (as in the technical articles in the above journal ) "rocket science" encompasses all branches of modern science, technology and engineering devoted to rocketry and space flight. In the current common usage, however, "rocket science" has come to mean a complex and intellectually demanding activity, and a rocket scientist is a person who is highly intelligent. Therefore, you won't find a definition for "rocket science" in this book. Nor are confusing equations presented; there are other books which do that. But, you will find that you won't have to be able to derive the technology to understand and use it.
The numbers presented herein will point out the orbit-in-the-sky fantasies of science fiction, and bring to account those who continually say that the space age is here for everyone! In general, things just don't add up, because their claims are not quantitative. Therefore, this book serves as a "double whammy," appealing to both the lay person and technical readers. If you can judge the energy and economics numbers, you will be able to understand the true situation with respect to space flight, both today and far into the future (just the facts, man!). And you won't have to be a "rocket scientist" to benefit from this book. Perhaps, you'll also be able to decide whether all of this effort is going to be worth it to you. What is it you that are personally going to get out of it? Are you being sold a glorious bill of goods by the politicians, the military, universities and industy, just to get more of your money? What will the role of private enterprise be in all of this? Hopefully, this book will enable you to decide all of these factors, for both the last thousand years and the next thousand. Learn to question. And, more importantly, sit back and enjoy the next thousand years of man's space flight efforts!
Rocket Science : Rocket Science in the Second Millennium: Apogee Books Space Series 45 (Apogee Books Space Series)
Rocket Science: Rocket Science in the Second Millennium: Apogee Books Space Series 45 (Apogee Books Space Series),Alfred Zaehringer,Steve Whitfield,Collector's Guide Publishing Inc,1894959094,Aeronautics & Astronautics,Astrophysics & Space Science,Science/Mathematics,Technology,Technology & Industrial Arts,Astronautics,Popular science,Technology / Aeronautics & Astronautics
Discount Books:
Recommended Books