Dictionary of Space Technology

From 'absolute pressure' to 'zero-g', The Dictionary of Space Technology is the one source necessary to understand humanity's activities in space, the beginnings of our extraterrestrial society, and the importance of space sciences in our everyday lives. More than 3,000 clear and concise entries explain the entire range of relevant scientific principles and ideas behind the exploration of space, and 140 illustrations and numerous charts and tables explain this exciting view of the space age. This second edition has been completely updated and revised to provide the most accurate and current information available, some of it only recently declassified by the government. Meant to inform and inspire, The Dictionary of Space Technology is a resource that will fascinate both the scientist and the layman, and provide all the knowledge needed to follow humanity's path to the stars in the next millennium.

There have been many developments in space technology since the first edition of this work was published back in 1981. The Challenger disaster, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Mars Pathfinder mission, and numerous other achievements and failures are all covered by this new edition. Similar to the first edition, the 3,000 alphabetical entries range in length from a single sentence to several pages, with most of the longer entries devoted to various missions or destinations. Although space programs from all nations are included, the emphasis is clearly on the U. S.

Entries are written for the general adult reader or student and do not rely heavily on mathematics for their explanations. The author is unashamedly a space enthusiast, and the writing sometimes reflects this position by promoting space exploration. Black-and-white diagrams and a few photos accompany some of the entries. Considering the availability of excellent public domain images related to space exploration, the quality of the illustrations in this work is disappointing. Appendixes list units of measure, conversion factors, and Web sites related to space exploration. Despite its poor illustrations, this work will be a useful tool for anyone interested in space exploration. A good companion on the reference shelf is Who's Who in Space (3d ed., Macmillan, 1999), which has astronaut biographies. Recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries.