Book Description

Human Factors in Aviation, written for the widespread aviation community--engineers, scientist, pilots, managers, government personnel, and others--is also be of interest to those in nonaviation fields. The authors/contributors were chosen not only as experts in their fields, but because they could write for a wider audience than they customarily address. The organization of the book takes the reader from the general to the specific, first covering broad issues, then the more specific topics of pilot performance, human factors in aircraft design, and vehicles and systems. The physiological and medical aspects are well documented also. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good but dated
A great introduction to human factors but it shows its age in its focus, its examples, and its recommendations. Nevertheless, this book makes a good starting point.

For the CRM specialist, or those with a keen interest
If you are in senior airline management and are wondering why things happen the way they happen and you really can't figure out why, this book might provide some help. It's the first step towards understanding the human impact in airline operations, be that pilots, cabin crew or ground crews. Far from being an expert in the field I think this work provides great background material, probably to be better understood when you hold a degree in psychology, but also readable for the un-initiated like myself. CRM specialists/trainers, Human Resource Managers etc. should have this book on their shelv(es). ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides an introduction to understanding combustion, the burning of a substance that produces heat and often light, in microgravity environments-i.e., environments with very low gravity such as outer space. Readers are presented with a compilation of worldwide findings from fifteen years of research and experimental tests in various low-gravity environments, including drop towers, aircraft, and space.

Microgravity Combustion is unique in that no other book reviews low- gravity combustion research in such a comprehensive manner. It provides an excellent introduction for those researching in the fields of combustion, aerospace, and fluid and thermal sciences.

• An introduction to the progress made in understanding combustion in a microgravity environment
• Experimental, theoretical and computational findings of current combustion research
• Tutorial concepts, such as scaling analysis
• Worldwide microgravity research findings ... Read more

Book Description

Written by one of the most succesful aerospace authors, this new book develops aircraft performance techniques from first principles and applies then to real airplanes.It also address a philosophy of, and techniques for aircraft design. By developing and discussing these two subjects in a single text, the author captures a degree of synergism not found in other texts.The book iswritten in a conversational style, a trademark of all of John Anderson's texts, to enhance the readers' understanding. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A better historical than analytical textbook.
Any student who has read through this textbook and tried to understand the derivations and derive the equations presented will realize that Anderson's forte is history more than engineering.The text is well written and interesting to read since Anderson gives a good historical background to each concept but Anderson's explanations are sometimes questionable and there are many conceptual and formula errors.The book does have good figures and presents a lot of good data but for students trying to learn aircraft performance for the first time, there are better textbooks out there.I am currently a PhD student in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech studying for the qualifying exam.I was studying from this textbook but found that it was difficult to master the concepts to my professor's expectations based on what Anderson has presented.I recently aquired "Mechanics of Flight" by Warren Phillips which is much better at presenting the same material and is much more exhaustively researched from an analytical point of view.It is also much cheaper with twice the content so I would recommend it over Anderson's "Aircraft Performance and Design."

A great introduction to aircraft design
This is an excellent book and can be used as a continuation of Introduction to Flight by the same author.This book focuses on airplane design and performance, but also gives a very clear introduction to propulsion and aerodynamics of airplanes.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in airplane design, as well as Daniel Raymer's book Aircraft Design: A Conceptual Approach.Both books I found to be extremely interesting and written in clear, easy to understand language.

This book was used in an upper level Aircraft Performance and Dynamics class that I recently took.I also found this book very helpful in my Aircraft Design class and my Aircraft Propulsion class.In short, a student of aeronautical engineering couldn't ask for a more well rounded book on aircraft design--covering all the aforementioned topics.

If only all engineering textbooks were so well written!

This book is now available.
This is just an announcement from the Author. This book is now available. Feb. 16, 1999. ... Read more

Book Description

Comprehensive, classic introduction to space-flight engineering for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Provides basic tools for quantitative analysis of the motions of satellites and other vehicles in space. Includes vector algebra, kinematics, transformation of coordinates, gyrodynamics, generalized theories of mechanics. New Preface. Original Preface. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.
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Reviews (1)

Pretty good.
Not a bad introduction to dynamics, and space dynamics in general. The basic material was good. The more advanced material was a little unclear. ... Read more

Book Description

A 130-page book presenting information that antigravity has been and is being seriously investigated by leading aircraft industries as well as the government. The theme is that T. Townsend Brown's propulsion method, once developed, will usher in an age of flight so revolutionary it will make all previous aviation the Stone Age of flight. Included are two historical reports from 1956 on electrogravitics ("electrogravity") with an updated article by Dr. Paul LaViolette showing "there is substantial evidence that the electrogravitics research of the 1950s actually resulted in the B-2 Stealth Bomber auxiliary propulsion system." Thought provoking and exciting to read with supporting illustrations and patent copies. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Collection of readings
A great book for anyone into electrogravitics systems or with any real interest in new propulsion technology. This book is made up of several reports and writings pieced together. Some Physics is a must to understand this book. If you are not at all familiar with the some basic principles it will be hard to understand what much the book speaks of. The author takes for granted a certain level of Physics education and familiarity with the subject.

Only other thing is that this book takes about a month to get, but it is worth the wait.

Electrogravitics Primer
For anyone wanting to learn about electrogravitics, this is the book. Thomas Valone explains the in's and out's of this fascinating subject. The appendixes and references he includes only enhance the book. I would like to see more like it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Imagining Space is a lovely coffee-table collection of artists' renderings, photographs, and schematics, along with a comprehensive history of the human effort to explore space and a look at what's ahead. Starting with paintings from the 1950s of what vehicles and their destinations might look like, and zooming through the decades to fantastic renderings of upcoming space technology, NASA historian Roger D. Launius and American University professor Howard E. McCurdy offer a fascinating overview of the promise of the final frontier.

With a foreword by Ray Bradbury and space art by Chesley Bonestell, Imagining Space has a solid science fiction pedigree. But some of this stuff is real, and images from achievements like moon landings, interplanetary probes, and the Mars rover seem even more amazing when juxtaposed with the wide-eyed scientific speculations of domed habitats and faster-than-light propulsion systems. After all, the rover really got built ... and it worked! No one really knows where we'll go next, or who'll pay for it, but it's exciting to think that we're likely to go somewhere by 2050, even if it's just high enough to admire our own beautiful planet from a distance. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Achievements, Predictions, Possibilities: 1950-2050
Not a simple chronology of space exploration, this volume looks at why humans want to go and what they want to do when they get there. Life on Mars, extraterrestrial life, space warfare, and space colonization are among the ideas whose histories are explored. The stories of the people who developed the technology to go to space, their ideas, theories, and inventions are related, with many color illustrations. Launius is a historian and editor; McCurdy teaches public affairs at the American U. in Washington DC.

With stunningly beautiful illustrations
With a special foreword by famed science fiction author Ray Bradbury, Imagining Space: Achievements, Predications, Possibilities 1950-2050 is an amazing, informative, thought-provoking, and superbly illustrated armchair traveler's guide - one that takes the reader to other planets, past the solar system, and beyond the Milky Way galaxy. It looks back to the 1950 predictions of rocket scientists and science fiction authors, to the present day space program, and forward to the possibilities of 2050. Chief NASA historian Roger D. Launius and Dr. Howard E. McCurdy of American University explore the dreams and realities of our past and future as connected to space travel, including speculations of one day exploring Mars and creating space colonies. Imagining Space is written in lay terminology so that its dreams can easily be imparted to the casual reader, but by far its most vivid asset are its stunningly beautiful illustrations; over 150 artists' renderings and photographs display a breathtaking, unforgettable glimpse into the past, present, and future of space travel. Very highly recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the future beyond the boundaries of the Earth. ... Read more

Book Description

An introduction to virtually all aspects of the technology of composite materials as used in aeronautical design and structure. This text discusses important differences in the technology of composites from that of metals: intrinsic substantive differences and their implications for manufacturing processes, structural design procedures, and in-service performance of the materials, particularly regarding the cause and nature of damage that may be sustained. ... Read more

Book Description

The measurement of performance during an airplane's flight testing is one of the more important tasks to be accomplished during its development as it impacts on both the airplane's safety and its marketability. Performance sells airplanes.

This book discusses performance for both propeller-driven and jet aircraft. However, its emphasis is on propeller-driven aircraft since much of the methodology for testing of propeller driven aircraft has been lost with time.

The book is intended as a text for those teaching courses in fixed-wing flight testing. It is also a reference for those involved in flight test on a daily basis or those who need knowledge of flight testing to manage those activities. The book is divided into three sections. The first two sections--Performance, and Stability and Control--are arranged so that they might be taught as a semester course at the upper-level undergraduate or graduate level. The third section, Hazardous Flight Tests, provides information based upon more than 30 years of experience in performing and directing such tests and serves as a valuable reference. ... Read more

Book Description

From the component design, to the subsystem design, to the engine systems design, engine development, and flight-vehicle application, this how-to text bridges the gap between basic physical and design principles and actual rocket-engine design as it's done in industry.

More than 470 illustrations and tables help to make this book a must-read for advanced students and engineers active in all phases of engine systems design, development, and application, in industry, and in government agencies. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

OK as far as it goes, but my goodness...
I got this for one of my kids, who was young, and wanted to know why it was difficult to make rockets.

For this purpose, the book is great. It shows you several aspects of the design problems. You can see this from the table of contents - it tries very hard to cover as much ground as is sensible.

The diffculty for European readers is that the units are all imperial, that is, Gallons, Pounds, feet, inches, and so forth. This makes the numerical details - a sense of scale for what is being discussed - quite inaccesible for most of us over here. It's worth noting that also lead to the downfall of at least one recent space mision to Mars.

Remarks like "its not rocket science" can certainly be shown as having a truthful sort of origin by looking at this. To "do" anything with this book, you would absolutely have to develop further and deeply in the following disciplines;

1. Chemistry
2. Metallurgy
3. Thermodynamics
4. Mechanics
5. Experience with CAD, esp. simulation with solid and liquid state systems.
6. Maths
7. Electronics,
8. Reliability...
9. ???

I wonder if any single mind could get round all of these, possibly, but you would be pretty lucky to get the chance nowadays. Education isn't cheap.

I don't think, though that there is any harm in wanting to get as close to this as you like. The book is truly wonderful, almost a work of art, and even if jobs in this area are scarce, this has got to be worthwhile. Read this, do the background study, get a degree or two, and you may eventually get into industrial plant design, maybe even medical electronics, aerospace, or something. Why not? The world would be a better place if more people would dream a bit and aspire to do the hard stuff. I am full of admiration for people who did better than I did and are working in these kinds of fields.

I'm going to get a few more books in this series, though I have to say, I'm a bit nervous about ordering books with titles including the words "missile propulsion". We live in troubled times.

GO GET IT!
As already mentioned above....do not question the price! It is really worth every single cent! I am not a LRE-designer nor do I work in any similar branche...you'll need to work yourself through the subject and especially through the mathematics, but you will be able to design your own rocket motor. It really goes into detail.
This is not only one of the best books I own...it is THE BEST!

GO GET IT!

Bible for the Design of LRE's
The book has about everything one needs to know as a liquid rocket engine designer. A must for any propulsion engineer.

Great liquid rocket engine book
This is a very well written reference book and is packed full of useful information. I work in liquid propulsion design and I have been able to find very detailed subsystem information. Well worth the price.

The best book on the subject!
The book "Modern Engineering for Design Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines" is undoubtedly the best book on liquid fueled rockets. The information is not just valuable, it is priceless. Few textbooks of any subject go as much into detail as this book. Do NOT question the price. The value of the information given in this book goes way beyond the price tag. If you are interested in learning the aspects of this subject, or want to build your own rocket engine, this book is definitely for you. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A NEW SYNTHESYS FOR AN OLD DILLEMMA
Dr. Mitchell asks the same questions as all seekers, and rightly connects the search for knowledge about self with the search for an understanding of the universe. He begins his book with a short personal history, bringing the reader up to a description of his incredible journey to the moon. As a US Apollo astronaut, he walked on the lumar surface. During the journey back to earth, he experienced a sudden insight about the nature of reality, an understanding that came from an unknown source. The experience most resembled the reports of mystics, who generally ascribe a religious meaning to it. Mitchell has spent the years since that journey searching for a way to understand the experience, a way to bring together the disparate ways of knowing, the way of science and the way of religion.

While it is fascinating to read his descriptions of the view of earth from space and to know that seeing our beautiful mother earth from that vantage point could trigger such insights, what Mitchell describes is an experience many, many people have, as he later came to realize. It is the experience of "knowing without knowing how you know." Sometimes the knowing concerns the nature of reality, as when you get the sense of the unity of all things, and sometimes it is a psychic insight, as in knowing someone has just died. Sometimes it is the amazing synchronicities that happen when you cease to believe they cannot happen.

This source of knowledge is real, so how does it work? There is no accepted scientific answer. At least there wasn't until Mitchell took on the task and gave us his dyadic theory of reality. It is an interesting explanation. The universe, in this view, evolved not just from energy but always incorporated intention. Consciousness is inherent in the universe and that is why, in the mystical experience, everything seems alive. There is no difference between the consciousness of my aloe plant on the windowsill, my cat who purrs beside me, and me. We use consciousness differently perhaps, but my plant grows better when I love it and want it to grow, I somehow know when my cat is outside the front door and wants to come in, and I use my consciousness to read books and learn more about my world. But the me that is sitting here looking out at everything else is victim of an illusion. It is only through working at techniques to shut out externals that it is possible to gain some realization of the unity, or to put it another way, to access the web that connects everything and that is the actual source of the knowledge that comes to us in these "mystical" experiences.

Dr. Mitchell's book takes us into heavy material, not always easy to grasp, and sometimes possessing its own assumptions. He seems intent on eliminating religious metaphors completely, as if providing an explanation that "works" means there is no longer a use for the concept of God. I have to agree with him that the long-standing practice of representatives of religious organizations of dismissing anything without a scientific explanation as "a miracle of God" (or sometimes as "the work of the devil") has retarded our ability to scrutinize any actual process at work. Likewise, it isn't helpful when scientists simply dismiss anything that doesn't fit their current understanding of reality -- Uri Geller must be a fraud because science can't explain how he bends those spoons. And since Uri is not a saintly person, it must not be "a miracle."

Because "God" is used to cover everything for which there is no scientific explanation does not invalidate the concept of a supreme presence, just as science is not useless even though it is intolerant of alternate explanations. It seems to me Mitchell neglects the idea of "purpose" just as he does not accept reincarnation, suggesting the past lives remembered are the result of accessing the universal web, the holographic record of everything (much like Edgar Cayce's "Akashic Record"). Could this be just a semantic difference, if we are all part of the same consciousness? While Mitchell's concepts "fit" the essentially religious experiences of those who believe in the immortality of the soul, it does not encompass the soul's purpose of perfecting itself through lifetimes of spiritual growth.

As I read this book, I found Mitchell has read the same authors I've read, and he mentions the same cast of characters with whom seekers are familiar, whether they write from a research, mystical or physics point of view. His desire to reconcile science and religion is the same desire many of us share. The journey inward is as worthwhile as the journey to other planets. Our yearning to know who we are can only be satisfied when we truly achieve the synthesis Dr. Mitchell seeks. You'll have to read and decide if Mitchell, as an explorer extraordinaire, has found the answer.

Please write more books,Dr. Mitchell about Apollo 14 !
Apollo 14 was one of the few missions that I know litle about; simply because not enough time and attention has been dedicated to it! Dr. Ed Mitchell,Apollo 14 lunar module pilot, tells us in a very open way his inner-most feelings about the mission to The Moon, and how it altered his life,and inner ways of thinking; regarding life and the universe! Telling the reader that what he felt and saw: during, and mainly after his return to Earth; how our universe couldn't have just happened,but rather, has a special purpose and significance and a meaning to its existence! i believe in God, and have heard many pros and cons said about this book! Well let me say that as a true believer in CHRIST and GOD, I feel that Dr. Mitchell has a very open and well-educated mind as a scientist/explorer; and merely tells us that there is in fact a creator, and a purpose for the creation of the universe, and a reason for its being; relating science/religion together,which, to me, makes a whole lot of good sense.and purpose, to those of us that are real thinkers and have a real open mind to the things around us in the whole universe; not just planet Earth! Dr. Mitchell should know, hes been there (MOON) AND DONE THAT! i'M VERY RELIGIOUS INWARDLY, AND STILL THINK YOUR BOOK IS WELL DONE! Good job Dr. Mitchell! Your one of the few very open-minded/rational good thinkers of the century! If only more would have your intellect, mayby we wouldnt have the world problems we have today, and would have already had a base on Moon, and missions to Mars, already underway!

Exploring Invisible Realities
Edgar Mitchell founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences in 1972, as he began a quest for common ground between science and spirit following his life-altering experience of walking on the surface of the moon. Mitchell's autobiographical book THE WAY OF THE EXPLORER describes in thrilling detail his experiences with the Apollo missions, as well as his subsequent exploration of the fields of consciousness and paranormal phenomenon. Mitchell's heart-warming accounts of his feelings as he walked on the moon, and then traveled back through space to see how "the heavens and earth tumbled alternately in and out of view in the small capsule window" are gracefully combined with his insightful observations of the nature of consciousness and reality. We can all benefit from experiencing the Earth as Mitchell does... as one planet interconnected with each and every one of us. I was so moved by what Mitchell wrote about seeing Uri Geller bend spoons and bring lost objects across space and time that it inspired me to see Geller bend one of my (very SOLID stainless steel spoons) in person in October 1999. I love this book's timeless wisdom, beauty, and depth so much that I return to it again and again. It's a powerful book that touches my heart and greatly inspires me!

Not worth your money.
I thought this book was going to be more about an insightful philosophy. But instead, over half deals with Mitchell's experience as an astronaut and his personal life. Mitchell claims to have a magic recipe - a "dyadic model", which is the thoughtful merger of science and spirituality. I thought it would make an adequate inclusion of spirituality, but instead, the author examines certain mystical phenomena and promptly claims to take the truth from each...in his own fashion, and then retorts that such and such people's view about the event...many of its interpretations, were wrong. This is not a merger of science and spirituality, it is taking all the meat from a spiritual body and just leaving the bones. This debases and is insulting to many spiritual and cultural traditions throughout the world. This is just a propaganda for Mitchell's own particular, quasi atheist view of reality, and one that serves to finance his institute.

Moonwalker becomes Ghost Buster!
Edgar Mitchell asks Uri Geller if he would be so good as to retrieve a camera he left on the moon during Apollo 14. Sure Uri will give it a try. After all the moon is only about 240,000 miles away, how hard can it be? Later they are dining in the SRI cafeteria when Uri cuts his lip on a sharp piece of metal. It's not the camera but Mitchell's long lost tie tack! Thank God for that! Had that bulky 70 mm Hasselblad materialized in Uri's mouth his head would have exploded like a Halloween Pumpkin packed with an M-80! They'd have been wiping what was left of his brains off the ceiling!

Being a psychic is no job for wimps that's for sure! And yet they come across as a strikingly tempermental lot. Norbu Chen jealous of Mitchell's all too obvious infatuation with Geller uses psychokinesis to reduce Mitchell's gold ring into a twisted lump of scrap metal. However Mitchell is not the slightest bit upset or should I say, "bent out of shape."

In a nut shell this is what I hate about psychics. It's not that the laws of physics don't apply to them. It's that the laws of society-and much more importantly-the laws of common decency don't apply. Had Chen thrown a brick through the windshield of Mitchell's car or smashed that ring with a hammer he would have been guilty of a criminal act of vandalism and considered emotionally unbalanced. But it was his psychic power which destroyed that treasured piece of jewelry and this makes all the difference in the world. Mitchell writes, "Norbu Chen was clearly a very powerful man." Humm...

As a boy I idealized Mitchell as I idealized all the Moonwalkers. That's why this book was so painful for me to read. ... Read more

Book Description

First-rate text covers introductory concepts from thermodynamics, one-dimensional gas dynamics and one-dimensional wave motion, waves in supersonic flow, flow in ducts and wind tunnels, methods of measurement, the equations of frictionless flow, small-perturbation theory, transonic flow, and much more. For advanced undergraduate or graduate physics and engineering students with at least a working knowledge of calculus and basic physics. Exercises demonstrate application of material in text.
... Read more

Book Description

This second edition covers radar technologies developed since1987 -- plus those likely to appear in the next five years. It providesinsight into specific issues unique to airborne systems, and containsextensive treatment of the medium-Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF)waveform for more accurate performance analysis. The book also includesupdates on new technologies in phased array radar, synthetic aperture,high-range resolution pulse compression, and doppler processing as wellas a new software code for demonstrating medium-PRF blind-zone andclutter-map calculation. ... Read more

Book Description

An accessible guide to the legal issues that affect general aviation pilots, this highly readable second edition adds case studies, covers important new ground (including FAA enforcement procedures), and clarifies a pilot's rights and responsibilities. ... Read more

Book Description

Describes how to develop spacecraft, from defining requirements and design to ensuring mechanical readiness for launch. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Comprehensive information on developing space structures
Sarafin has complied a wealth of useful information on the entire spacecraft structural design lifecycle. The information presented is both detailed, and well backed up by comprehensive references. The book also includes a very good overview of how structural design fits into the larger context of a spacecraft development program. A good book for both practicing structural engineers looking for an introduction to spacecraft structural issues, and systems engineers looking for a better understanding of the issues involved in designing and developing spacecraft structures.

Excellent text book!
This book is a must for anyone involved with spacecraft
structures and mechanisms engineering. Well written, with plenty of practical, real world spacecraft information, and a good amount of theoretical/analysis info. I think this is the only book of its kind. Written by real experts in the field, who obviously know what they are doing! Explains design, analysis, testing , and even nails down such things acceptance and qualification testing philosophies. The book is biased towards the structures side as this constitutes 3/4 of the text. Congratulations to all who contributed to this classical book!

Chapter 16: Modeling of Structures
Chapter 16 is amazing. James D. Christensen is amazing. He must be a genius. It is the best chapter of the book. Everything in this chapter is presented clearly and concisely. Overall the book is very useful, but Chapter 16 stands head and shoulders above the rest ... Read more

Book Description

Anderson's book provides the most accessible approach to compressible flow for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students and professionals. In keeping with previous versions, the 3rd edition uses numerous historical vignettes that show the evolution of the field.New pedagogical features--"Roadmaps" showing the development of a given topic, and "Design Boxes" giving examples of design decisions--will make the 3rd edition even more practical and user-friendly than before.The 3rd edition strikes a careful balance between classical methods of determining compressible flow, and modern numerical and computer techniques (such as CFD) now used widely in industry & research.A new Book Website will contain all problem solutions for instructors. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The best engineering book I have ever read
This book was an indispensible study tool for my PhD qualifying exam in high temp gas dynamics. Before reading this book I had never had a formal compressible flow class and I think that it covers the fundamental concepts of frozen compressible flow very well. If you don't have an excellent understanding of normal and oblique shocks, expansion fans, nozzle flow, blunt body flow and shock tubes after reading this book, you haven't been paying attention!

a little disappointing
Well written classic supersonic theory, but "flavor" of numerical methods is given only : I think a college textbook of that price should give more than just flavor. Classic supersonic theory is not complete and needs to be integrated with other prior classic books (i.e. Ferri, Aerodynamics of supersonic flows). Overally, a little disappointing about the quantity of information given.

Heavy in math, but illustrations and commentary helps.
As it must be, this book is heavy in math, yet does not treat the subject just from a mathmatics point of view. It is filled with illustrations, photographs and commentary to help explain the subject matter. The only thing that seems to be missing is a math symbols list! It's a good text, well written and worth the money.

Get this book and learn all about gas dynamics!
This book has it all. No matter what your major is...from Aerospace Engineering to Mechanical Engineering, or if you're into thermodynamics, you've gotta get this book!

If you're into aerospace engineering, you gotta read this!!!
Riveting and captivating! Those are the 2 words I will use to describe this book. From the table of contents to the enlightening appendices, this book was simply amazing! I don't know what I would have done without it. ... Read more

Book Description

Reducing Space Mission Cost is the first complete treatment of the technology, process, and problems in the most critical areas of modern spaceflight. The demand to reduce cost is unrelenting. This pioneering book addresses all aspects of this problem, including: + Technology and processes for reducing cost + Cost reduction in mission engineering, spacecraft design, manufacture, launch, and operations + Implementation methods and problems + The price of reducing cost + 10 detailed case studies of what works in practice in: - Science missions - Interplanetary probes - Communications spacecraft - Test and Applications missions Beginning on the inside front cover, this book provides real cost data on a variety of missions, systems, and subsystems. According to the authors: `Reducing mission cost is hard enough if you know what the real costs are, and virtually impossible if you don't.' This book challenges traditional methods, yet recognizes that all space programs are run to minimize cost within the rules under which they are built and flown. It provides practical recipes for reducing cost in both new and ongoing missions and discusses what works, what government can do to help, and what methods intended to reduce cost may be counterproductive and unintentionally increase cost. As shown on the inside rear cover, the case studies described in the book have reduced total mission cost by 80% to more than 90% with respect to projections by traditional cost methods. This book is a follow-on to the now standard text and reference, Space Mission Analysis and Design, also edited by Drs. Wertz and Larson. It is required reading for professionals, students, and managers in astronautics or space sciences and managers or scientists involved in space experiments. This book shows that reducing space mission cost, without reducing reliability, is as possible as it is important for the future of space exploration. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great Book to Read!
This book explains all the details of the Technological Development of the great Saturn especially the Saturn-5. I bought the 2003 Edition and I get the mos information that I want to know on the Saturn Project!Wernher von Braun is great,althought there are so many paradoxial on his past involvement in the Nazi Party.The proof of all these is the end result of his direct involvement in building the Rocket Technology in the US till today!

Gives One an Idea of The Scope of This Program
This is the best attempt I've seen for an accounting of the Saturn Program(s). The enormity of planning, building and deploying the Saturn series was so great that one could make a career as a historian on this program alone. This not light reading and some base knowledge of rocketry helps.

The author does a great job of delivering the technical and program management side of Saturn and gives us enough juice on some of the key players to add some entertainment value. The selection of graphics and photos could be improved - there are a lot better ones available in the public domain. I struggled a bit with his technical description of the F1 engine and referenced schematic until I pulled a photo off of Nasa's Web site that made it much clearer.

If your a fan of the US effort to put man on the moon buy this book and add it to you collection.

What a ride!
I recently read "Apollo: The Race to the Moon", by Charles Murray and it left me hungry for more details on the Saturn V and the challenges of developing the first stage, F-1 engines. This book definitely hits the spot and provides a lot more. The text is so historically rich you feel as if you were there along side the NASA engineers. If that's not enough you might also like "Chariots for Apollo"; it tells a very good technical story about the Lunar Module development.

The Official History of the Saturn
I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Roger Bilstein as my professor. His personal enthusiasm for aerospace and history come together nicely in what is often considered to be the "offical" account of the development of the Saturn launcher that eventually placed men on the moon. This book will make clear that task was not nearly as easy as NASA made it seem. A must for anyone who wants to get beyond the astronaut books and see how the space program really worked in its glory days!

A Superb Book by a Superb Aerospace Historian
This thorough and well-written book gives a detailed but highly readable account of the enormously complex process whereby the Marshall Space Flight Center under the direction of Wernher von Braun developed the launch vehicles used in the Apollo program to send humans to the Moon. Based on exhaustive research and equipped with extensive bibliographic references, this book comes as close to being a definitive history of the Saturn rocket program as is ever likely to appear. Moreover, it is not simply a technical history but covers the decision-making process that lay behind the technological development, making it not just a history of hardware development but also an analysis of technical management and organization. As one reviewer said in "Air University Review" while reviewing the original edition of this book: "This volume is just one of many excellent histories produced by government and contract historians for the NASA History Office....The book is enhanced by many excellent appendixes and charts, and it has a thorough essay on sources and documentation....Author Roger Bilstein...gracefully wends his way through a maze of technical documentation to reveal the important themes of his story; rarely has such a nuts-and-bolts tale been so gracefully told." I can only add my "amen" to that assessment. ... Read more

Book Description

How can an airplane weighing many tons stay aloft for many hours, flying so smoothly that the passengers may feel less like they are moving than they would in a car? The answer, of course, lies in the wings and the air they are moving through, and the study of the flow of air around airplane wings is part of the science of aerodynamics.

This book is about aerodynamics in the broadest sense. In addition to airplanes, it discusses the aerodynamics of cars and birds, and the motion of diverse object thorugh air and water.The fundamental notions of mechanics and fluid dynamics -- that is, the basic physics underlying aerodynamics -- are clearly explained.The underlying science is discussed rigorously, but only elementary mathematics is used, and only occasionally.

To put the science into its human context, the author describes (with many illustrations) the history of human attempts to fly and discusses the social impact of commercial aviation as well as the outlook for future developments.This book is addressed primarily to readers whose background is not in physics or engineering.It will deepen their knowledge of these fields and add to their appreciation of some exciting recent developements in technology.

This new edition has been brought up to date throughout; solutions to selected exercises have been added, as well as new problems and other study aids. ... Read more

Book Description

“An engrossing report.”—Booklist “Vividly captures the challenges and privations [Dr. Linenger] endured both before and during his flight.”—Library Journal One of the most gripping space survival stories of the 20th century is now available in paperback. Few episodes in man’s exploration of space can compare to Off the Planet—Dr. Jerry Linenger’s dramatic account of space exploration turned survival mission during his 132 days aboard the decaying and unstable Russian space station Mir. Not since Apollo 13 has an American astronaut faced so many catastrophic malfunctions and life-threatening emergencies in one mission. In his remarkable narrative, Linenger chronicles power outages that left the crew in complete darkness, tumbling out of control; chemical leaks and near collisions that threatened to rupture Mir’s hull; and most terrifying of all—a raging fire that almost destroyed the space station and the lives of its entire crew. ... Read more

Reviews (42)

A very human astronaut's tale
I was wrong. I picked up Jerry Linenger's long-overdue book expecting it to be a somewhat bland account of an astronaut's existence aboard Mir. Instead I found it to be eminently readable, and a truly facinating tale, with enough intensely dramatic content to keep me reading beyond each chapter heading. Other reviewers have mentioned his account of the fire aboard Mir - a very harrowing description indeed, but I was fascinated by some of the smaller vignettes, such as his terror at standing on the end of a robotic arm, thrust out and away from the shuttle, feeling like he was in perpetual freefall off a cliff. I've read many books by and about a lot of space explorers, and it was nice to find a solid, human account of life as a recent NASA astronaut. All too often these days the astronauts just seem to be the same person going up on the same shuttle doing the same things, and little is known about them beyond their names. Thank you Jerry for humanising the shuttle-Mir program. But above all else I wish to congratulate him for a superb book written without the ubiquitous ghost-writer. The words are his own, and I feel he's crafted this book superbly. I certainly enjoyed it a great deal, and wish it every success.

A Great Glimpse of Life in Space
This book is easy to read and has lots of good pictures, so when I first thumbed through the pages I thought it was going to be another PR job for NASA. Much to my delight, when I actually "dug in" I discovered an original, candid and insightful discussion of US-Russian collaboration and of the author's experiences on Mir. Sure, Linenger comes off as a "right stuff" astronaut: after all, you can't earn a series of degrees and succeed as a military officer, as a physician, and a spacefarer unless you have outstanding qualifications and high self confidence. Despite the author's occasionally overbearing "can do" mentality, Linenger offers a balanced view of life aboard an aging Space Station. It is full of useful but usually tasteful detail on how people survive psychologically and relate to one another under prolonged isolation and confinement. The stories are interesting, and in the telling Linenger gives us insights into everything from interpersonal to international relations. I finished this book reminded that living and working in space is a complex, multifaceted endeavor that defies simple analysis. Dr. Linenger's book not only entertains, it increases our understanding of people in exotic and stressful environments. I have read at least two other major books about life on Mir, and still found this one engaging and informative.

The truth about life on Mir
Jerry Linenger wrote "Off the Planet" to describe his out-of-this-world (literally) experiences on the Mir spacestation, as an American astronaut working with the Russians. This autobiographical book goes into Jerry's adventures with Mir's copious mechanical problems, his reflections on life on earth, and the politics of the cooperative space program between Russia and the United States. I received this book after Jerry spoke at a conference I attended. I do not usually read books in this genre, but to my surprise, it was an entertaining read and I ended up purchasing another copy for my father.

The format of the book is not exactly chronological. Each chapter could be a standalone essay, focusing on a different event or issue on Mir. The early chapters introduce Jerry, and show the progression of his career up to his training for Mir. The last few chapters go into Jerry's newfound perspective on existence, and the difficult adaptation back to earth life.

Jerry's writing style is as direct and unceremonious as his speeches. He explains complicated scientific issues with ease, and even this liberal arts major could understand what he was talking about. He talks about lofty topics, like Russian-US relations. Then he'll move on to discuss how astronauts use the bathroom, or the difficulties of eating pretzels in space.

There have been quite a few criticisms of this book. Some have said that Jerry is egotistical. If he hadn't admitted this fault in the book, I wouldn't have noticed it. It seems appropriate for an accomplished astronaut to be proud of his work. Others claim that there is another side to the story, but there is always another side to the story. I know that I am reading about Mr. Linenger's perspective of the events on Mir, and I can put it into context with other published works.

I already agree with the sentiments with which Jerry Linenger sums up his book. He tells us that we should live each day as if it is our last, to enjoy all the natural bounties that the earth gives us, and to value our precious time on the planet. Each breath of oxygen and moment in the sunlight should be cherished. I completely agree. One way that this book has changed me is that it has made me more aware of the space program. When I hear about unmanned landings on Mars or even events on Mir, I perk up and listen more closely than I had in the past.

A Good Book About One Astronaut's Life Onboard Mir
Jerry Linenger is a former NASA astronaut who spent just over 132 days in space, most of it aboard the Russian space station Mir. During his stay, Dr. Linenger accomplished many first for an American astronaut. He became the first American to conduct a space walk from a foreign space station and in a non-American made spacesuit. During this five hour EVA, he and his Russian crewmate tested the newly designed Orlan-M Russian-built spacesuit. He and his crewmembers also performed a flyaround of the Mir in the Soyuz spacecraft, undocking from one docking port of the station and redocking at a different location.

While living aboard the MIR space station, Jerry Linenger and his two Russian crewmembers faced numerous difficulties, such as the most severe fire ever aboard an orbiting spacecraft, clearly the best written and most interesting section of the book, the failures of onboard systems (oxygen generator, carbon dioxide scrubbing, cooling line loop leaks, communication antenna tracking ability, urine collection and processing facility), a near collision with a resupply cargo ship during a manual docking system test, loss of station electrical power, and loss of attitude control resulting in a slow, uncontrolled tumble through space. In spite of these challenges and the added demands on their time due to the repair work, they still accomplished all mission goals: the space walk, the flyaround, and the completion off all the planned U.S. science experiments. All of these harrowing adventures and many others, plus the grind of his daily life aboard Mir, are recounted in this book.

I would have to agree with the numerous other reviewers that feel the Jerry Linenger has a big ego, but as someone who has had a lot of contact with astronauts over the years, his ego is only somewhat greater than the norm. The first example of this personality trait, is the title. The title states that he spend five months on Mir, but his stay on Mir, was just a little more than 4 months (132 days total mission time minus the travel time to and from Mir, about five days). There are lots of references to "I did ..." and he seems to forget that all of the hardware onboard any space vehicle has been designed for easy astronaut use to assure success. I know because that's what I do for a living.

All things considered, this book is definitely one of the better astronaut biographies and covers a period of human space flight that is not frequently examined, the Space Shuttle era. Furthermore, Dr. Linenger deserves kudos for writing the book himself.

a great book about living in space
this book shows the truth about living in space. the author describes all the hardships that he and the crew went through ... Read more