Space Flight

This book offers a comprehensive look at the history of space exploration, the technology that makes it possible, and the continued efforts that promise to carry us into the future. It goes through the history of space exploration, from the earliest sub-orbital and orbital missions to today's deep-space probes, to provide a close look at past and present projects, then turns its attention to programs being planned today and to the significance of future exploration. Both the novice and the advanced student of space exploration stand to profit from the author's engaging and insightful discussion.

By Lance K. Erickson

Erickson (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ.) has written a thorough book on the history of space exploration. He starts with a good review of the contributions of philosophers, astronomers, and mathematicians from ancient Greece, the Arabic world, and the European Renaissance. The book continues into the 20th century, and includes an interesting presentation of the manned space program beginning with the early missions of both the US and the Soviet Union. Military space missions also receive extensive treatment. Overall, Erickson provides a good mix of Earth-based and spacecraft-based astronomy and planetary science findings. The technical level is appropriate for the layperson, with all mathematical equations explained in simple terms. A top-level description of spacecraft systems towards the end of the book gives the general reader an idea of the complexity of space systems. Numerous historical photographs and drawings from various space programs augment the text. Summing Up: Recommended. CHOICE