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Each entry has ready-reference information that includes starting and (where appropriate) ending date; type of mission, program, satellite, technology, or issue being covered; and a list of key figures. A short paragraph serves as an abstract for the typical article, which is divided into three main sections: a summary of the topic, "Contributions" (what knowledge was gained), and "Context" (why it is important to know what was learned). The entry ends with an annotated bibliography, which is often quite extensive. There are see alsoreferences as well. Entries range in length from 2,000 to 5,000 words.
The third edition includes 233 updated entries, 42 new entries, and 5 completely replaced essays. It is current to 2005 and includes an article about the Columbia tragedy. There are 450 excellent black-and-white photographs. The indexes, including a personages index and a subject index, are in volume 3. Also in volume 3 are a chronology of major developments in space exploration, 360 BCE through 2006 and beyond; a section of short biographies entitled "Key Figures in the History of Space Exploration"; a glossary; a list of space-shuttle missions; and several pages of Web sites.
Although this is not a unique resource, it is an excellent set for most public, school, and university libraries because of its focus on "why it matters." In particular, libraries in which the previous (2001) edition was well used will want this update. Robin Hoelle
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