Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion: Principles, Practice and New Developments (Springer Praxis Books)

The revised edition of this practical, hands-on book discusses the range of launch vehicles in use today throughout the world, and includes the very latest details of some of the advanced propulsion systems currently being developed. The author covers the fundamentals of the subject, from the basic principles of rocket propulsion and vehicle dynamics through the theory and practice of liquid and solid propellant motors, to new and future developments.

The revised edition will stick to the same principle of providing a serious exposition of the principles and practice of rocket propulsion, but from the point of view of the user and enquirer who is not an engineering specialist. Most chapters will remain substantially the same as the first edition; they will be updated where necessary and errata corrected. The main revisions will be to the chapter on electric propulsion where there have been significant new developments both in engine types and in practical applications. This is now seen as the key to planetary exploration by robotic probes and should therefore be reflected. Nuclear propulsion has emerged from the doldrums and is now seen as a definite possibility for outer solar system robotic exploration; and as enabling technology for a human mars expedition. A new chapter on nuclear thermal propulsion has been added to reflect this revival of interest.

From the reviews of the second edition:

"Turner (Univ. of Leicester, UK) offers an updated version of his 2000 book. ... He examines rockets and rocket engines from the viewpoint of physical principles and gives accessible explanations on how rockets work. ... Turner uses graphs to help interpret many equations. ... Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates; graduate students." (D.B. Mason, CHOICE, Vol. 42 (10), June, 2005)

"As a rule, textbooks have equations and other books have colour photographs, but this book breaks that rule by including both. Its centre-section of 20 colour plates certainly sets it apart from most textbooks ... . there is plenty of information between the equations to engage anyone with an interest in the technology. It also has a number of appendices and a five-page index. ... The book is usefully up to date in its coverage. ... This book remains an excellent primer on the principles of rocket propulsion." (Mark Williamson, International Space Review, 2005)