Author Description

This timely, accessible book is an authoritative account of the great variety of human activities in space. Written for nonspecialists, the book first surveys the history of space flight and describes the various systems for launching payloads from Earth. It then considers manned missions, space science, and the uses of different spacecraft. A survey of ongoing efforts by different countries is followed by a discussion of the commercialization of space activities, and a look at future possibilities. The text is written in a lucid and nontechnical style, and a glossary of acronyms is provided. As an overview by one of the world's most knowledgeable experts, it is intended for a wide audience of general readers and is ideal for classroom use.