Want to know not just what makes rockets go up but how to do it optimally? Optimal control theory has become such an important field in aerospace engineering that no graduate student or practicing engineer can afford to be without a working knowledge of it. This is the first book that begins from scratch to teach the...

The Moon is very far from Earth. Yet, scientists have been able to get satellites, shuttles, and other spacecraft into space and a few manned spacecraft to land on the Moon. "How Does a Spacecraft Reach the Moon?" reveals the science behind propulsion and the energy it takes to get large craft into space. Colorful photographs and...

Error correction coding techniques allow the detection and correction of errors occurring during the transmission of data in digital communication systems. These techniques are nearly universally employed in modern communication systems, and are thus an important component of...

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I am a vampire, and that is the truth. But the modern meaning of the word vampire, the stories that have been told about creatures such as I, are not precisely true. I do not turn to ash in the sun, nor do I cringe when I see a crucifix. I wear a tiny gold cross now around my neck, but only because I like it. I cannot command a pack of wolves...

Podcasting really is twenty-first century communication, and you can be a part of it! This book gives you the scoop on listening to, producing, and distributing podcasts, points you toward the best...

Combining a concise practical guide to astronomy with card decks, sky maps, and a flashlight, Starfinder explains how to navigate around the night sky, shows you what you can expect to see, and provides all the tools you need to see the constellations for yourself. It also includes a section on observing the Moon, planets, and other...

"Earth Science: An Illustrated Guide to Science" is one of eight volumes of "Facts On File's" new "Science Visual Resources" set. Containing six sections, a comprehensive glossary, a Web site guide, and an index, Biology is an ideal learning tool for students and teachers of science. Full-colour diagrams,...

In this second edition of Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems, the authors demonstrate the need to break free from the old established concepts of expendable rockets, using chemical propulsion, and to develop new breeds of launch vehicle capable of both launching payloads into orbit at a dramatically reduced cost and for sustained operations in...

This invaluable book provides an introduction to space science. It brings together the various space science disciplines in one volume, and will benefit a wide audience, particularly students starting their graduate studies. The text presents a unique outlook, which will encourage students to think in broad terms across the whole range of...