Space--the final frontier. It's as little as fifty miles away, and yet it is considered one of the most dangerous and remote of places. Popular television shows such as Star Trek and movies such as Apollo 13 and October Sky have fired the imaginations of would-be explorers. Alan Tribble has worked on the design and development of dozens of spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. A Tribble's Guide to Space is a how-to book that is firmly grounded in the realities of current state-of-the-art space engineering while tapping into the power of imagination that drives us to explore.
Alan Tribble offers a delightful guide to the nuts and bolts of space exploration, from how to get there to how to phone home and how to survive the harsh environment of space. Using examples from famous space missions, both factual and fictional, Tribble tackles fascinating real-world problems encountered in space exploration. Why do submarine hatches open inward and spacecraft hatches open outward? What do curveballs and satellites have in common? Why did Scotty, the chief engineer of the fictional USS Enterprise, always "need more power?" Why did the fire that destroyed Apollo I on the launch pad burn so furiously that no one could react fast enough to save the lives of the crew? In answering these questions, Tribble examines getting to space, from the physics of motion to the practical implications of Einstein's theory of relativity. He explores the basics of spaceships and starships, from power usage to navigation--all from the viewpoint of a spacecraft designer.
This book describes rocket science and more in a manner that captures the common excitement shared by anyone with an interest in space exploration. Armchair astronauts, engineers who work in a space company and anyone who has looked up at the sky and wondered how we will get there will find reading this book a wonderful and enlightening experience.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Alan C. Tribble is a rocket scientist who has spent over ten years designing dozens of spacecraft for various missions. Formerly with Rockwell International's Space Systems Division, he is now a speaker and author on space-related subjects. His other books include The Space Environment and the Princeton Guide to Advanced Physics.
"I share the author's admiration for astronauts who are propelled into space to perform simple tasks under exotic and perilous conditions and for the engineers who make such excursions possible. Alan Tribble, with his easy-going, attractive conversational prose, imparts a lot of good physics at a common sense level, enhanced by references to everyday experience. He has produced a valuable guide to space for a wide readership."--James A. Van Allen
"The significance of Apollo was not the rocks that were brought back, but the involvement of masses of people, the impact it made on their lives, and the vision it provided them for the future. Alan Tribble has captured the spirit that inspires us to explore and articulated the challenges that we will face as we continue to investigate the uses of space in the future. Anyone who remembers Apollo, or who dreams of going to the Moon and beyond, will enjoy this book."--Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11
"Alan Tribble's "Guide to Space" is a superb introduction to the complex world of trajectories, spacecraft systems, and the space environment. It would have provided an invaluable background for the rookie flight controllers at Mercury Control as we prepared for our first launch."--Eugene Kranz, Flight Director, Gemini-Apollo-Skylab
"I share the author's admiration for astronauts who are propelled into space to perform simple tasks under exotic and perilous conditions and for the engineers who make such excursions possible. Alan Tribble, with his easy-going, attractive conversational prose, imparts a lot of good physics at a common sense level, enhanced by references to everyday experience. He has produced a valuable guide to space for a wide readership."--James A. Van Allen
"The significance of Apollo was not the rocks that were brought back, but the involvement of masses of people, the impact it made on their lives, and the vision it provided them for the future. Alan Tribble has captured the spirit that inspires us to explore and articulated the challenges that we will face as we continue to investigate the uses of space in the future. Anyone who remembers Apollo, or who dreams of going to the Moon and beyond, will enjoy this book."--Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11
"Alan Tribble's "Guide to Space" is a superb introduction to the complex world of trajectories, spacecraft systems, and the space environment. It would have provided an invaluable background for the rookie flight controllers at Mercury Control as we prepared for our first launch."--Eugene Kranz, Flight Director, Gemini-Apollo-Skylab
Marketingwise, it was probably irresistible--a book on spaceflight by a guy named Tribble. Oh, c'mon, you remember the warm fuzzballs from the classic Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles." This book's core audience remembers, and shouldn't have any trouble reading this Tribble (the furry ones didn't write). A Rockwell International rocket scientist, he proves well able to explain the basics of spaceflight concisely and clearly, right up to the early stages of the current space station. Propulsion into space; maneuvering, navigating, and maintaining a habitable environment in it; communications among spacecraft; and observing Earth--Tribble covers them all for the educated adult with more interest in space than scientific knowledge about it. Adding charm are the references to just where Captain Kirk's Enterprise goes beyond or completely astray from scientific and technological reality. Useful supplementary material for libraries full of space volumes that assume a scientific background many patrons may not possess. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
FREE shipping within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speedsSeller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # X04C-00716
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP67638566
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: More Than Words, Waltham, MA, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. . Former Library book. All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Before placing your order for please contact us for confirmation on the book's binding. Check out our other listings to add to your order for discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # BOS-F-01h-01879
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.1. Seller Inventory # G0691050597I4N01
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: As New. No Jacket. Pages are clean and are not marred by notes or folds of any kind. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.1. Seller Inventory # G0691050597I2N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Research Ink, Takoma Park, MD, U.S.A.
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. ix + 174 pp. Rubber-stamped on front free endpaper. book. Seller Inventory # 11503
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_390686062
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Pomfret Street Books, Carlisle, PA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. Book. Seller Inventory # 065797
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Stock & Trade LLC, Portland, OR, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. An exceptional hardcover with a crisp dust jacket, a tight binding and an unmarked text. First edition, with a full number line. From a private smoke free collection. Shipping within 24 hours, tracking number and delivery Confirmation. Seller Inventory # NC7A612d
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Dorley House Books, Inc., Hagerstown, MD, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. B/W Illus (illustrator). 1st. First Edition, First Printing; dj w/unclipped price; 174 clean, unmarked pages/index/bibliography; Tribble tackles real-world problems encountered in space exploration."Unusually good reading. There is no better guide for anyone who just wants to understand what it means to be in space."?American Scientist 174 pgs. Seller Inventory # 105989
Quantity: 1 available