Understanding Space: An Introduction to Astronautics + Website (Space Technology),   ISBN:9780077230302

Customer Rating: 

I own an earlier edition of this book, which I bought after a friend and Air Force Academy graduate let me borrow his. Unless you are already a guru in all things space-related, there is probably something useful in this book.

It is a primer for the basics of orbit and attitude dynamics, mission designs, subsystems, launch and reentries, operations, as well as other topics. The math is all kept at the algebra level, which keeps it from discouraging readers who want to get concepts without getting tangled up in dense math.

Unlike many texts, this one is very well-illustrated, and written in a manner that actually makes it fun to read, including sidebars with descriptions of historical and current real world missions, as well as descriptions and diagrams of various current and future technology subsystems, including propulsion schemes. Few textbooks have ever held my interest as well as this one, and inspired me to seek out more detailed texts for some of the subjects.

Many times have I had to teach young new people the ropes, or to explain to outsiders asking me questions about something they aren't familiar with, and this book has always made it easier to explain things, especially with its ample illustrations.

If you are a professional in the field and have a stack of textbooks on the shelf by your desk, I recommend adding this one.

Customer Rating: 

I bought this book sometime ago based upon the high ratings on amazon and my personal desire to assimilate the knowledge.

I have therefore only leisurely read one of the chapters that interested me and although the content is top notch, I am quite annoyed at the placement of an incorrect graphic cutaway on page 576, The cutaway in question is supposed to show how an Arcjet engine operates, but the cutaway is that of a thermal nuclear engine that was discussed, and portrayed, some pages earlier.

So in closing, this text may need extensive editting.

Customer Rating: 

This book is really easy to read. The author has done a great job at presenting the history, the risks and the technologies that have allowed us to have missions in space. It provides a good understanding of issues that have to be resolved for a mission in space, such as near-zero gravity issues (problems such as outgassing), radiation (single event phenomena), heat transfer, etc. It also provides benefits of space missions, discusses different types of orbits, etc. Overall, this is a great book to give you a good understanding of space, space vehicles (i.e. satellites) and the issues encountered and the way we have or currently are addressing them as well as challenges for the future.

Customer Rating: 

this a great book....written in a very easy to understand for the non specialist..it's worth the money you'll pay.

Customer Rating: 

I found this book to be very enjoyable. A great review of Calculus and linear Algebra, are available in the appendix. This book has easily understood orbital concepts and is easy to follow. Anyone with and interest in Space technology should enjoy this book.