Synopses & Reviews
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.
Synopsis
Spacecraft Technology: The early years charts the fascinating story of the early Space Age, encompassing the launch of the first satellites and the landing of men on the Moon. While concentrating on the most significant technology developments, it places them in the context of historical events, specific missions and the individuals that made it all happen.
Following a chapter on the pre-history of space exploration and another on the development of rocketry, the book covers the early development of space science satellites, Earth observation satellites, communications satellites, lunar probes and manned space capsules.
Three chapters are dedicated to the hardware designed for the Apollo programme and its role in transporting men to the Moon, landing them there and transporting them across the lunar surface.
Spacecraft Technology: The early years is aimed at scientists and engineers with an interest in the history of space activity and the general reader who enjoys delving into the background of modern technology.
Synopsis
This book covers the development of space technology in the late 1950s and 1960s from the launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957 to the landing of men on the moon in 1969. The text begins by looking at the challenge of getting into space and the development of the launch of the space launch vehicle, and moves on to discussion of unmanned satellites and spaceprobes, and the first capsules deployed in Earth orbit and the Apollo missions to the moon.
About the Author
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.
Table of 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