Description
Spacecraft Technology: The Early Years charts the early Space Age, including the launch of the first satellites and the landing of man on the Moon. This period of technological development, between the late 1950s and the early 1970s, is one of the most important we have ever known.
It is the period in which we learned how to leave our home planet and explore another, entirely separate, planetary body. It represents an outstanding achievement in exploration.
This book is a celebration of the importance of that early technology in shaping our global culture, from the globalising effect of the communications satellite to the cultural impact of images that place our planet in the context of a wider Universe.
It is aimed at those with an interest in the history of space activity and the development of modern technology.
Mark Williamson is a Chartered Physicist and Chartered Engineer who has over 25 years experience in satellite communications engineering, technical management and space consultancy, he holds a BSc (Hons) Physics and Astrophysics from Queen Mary College, London.
Book review
"...Spacecraft Technology: The Early Years should be on the reading list for decision makers and technology entrepreneurs alike, if only to remind the current generation how the great innovations that we take for granted ultimately came to be." Jonathan Krezel, SPACE TIMES, September/October 2006.
"...in general this is a good introduction to space history" Ander Hansson, Spaceflight, Vol.49, January 2007.
Book readership
This book is aimed at space scientists and practising engineers.
Book contents
Preface. Acknowledgements. A Prologue to the Space Age.
Highway to Space - The Development of the Space Launch Vehicle.
Looking at Space - The Development of the Space Science Satellite.
Looking at Earth - The Development of the Earth Observation Satellite.
Keeping in Touch - The Development of the Communications Satellite.
Probing the Moon - The Development of the Lunar Science Spacecraft.
Man in Space - The Development of the Manned Capsule.
First and Only Moonship - The Development of the Apollo Command and Service Module.
Lunar Lander - The Development of the Apollo Lunar Module.
Electric Moon Car - The Development of the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle.
An Epilogue to the Space Race.
Selected Bibliography. Abbreviations and Acronyms. Index