It's ONLY Rocket Science: An Introduction in Plain English / Edition 1

by Lucy Rogers

Overview

Most amateur astronomers – and many of those with similar interests but who are not currently practising observers – have only a sketchy understanding of space flight. This book provides an introduction to its mechanics. The beauty of this book, written by an engineer who is also an accomplished science writer, is that it covers the subject comprehensively, and yet is almost entirely descriptive and non-mathematical. It deals with all aspects of space flight, from how to leave the Earth (including the design of the rocket, mission planning, navigation and communication), to life in space and the effects of weightlessness. The book also includes sections describing how an amateur can track satellites and understand their orbital parameters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387753775
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	03/14/2008
Series:	Astronomers' Universe Series
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	350
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)
Age Range:	3 Months

About the Author

Dr Lucy Rogers is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the British Association of Science Writers. She is an engineer, and is currently working on the Launch Escape System propulsion unit for StarChaser, the UK's commercial space access company. She has published articles in The Guardian national newspaper, and on BBC Online.

Table of Contents

Rockets and Spacecraft.- Space Missions.- Movement in Three Dimensions.- Propulsion Systems.- Navigation in Three Dimensions.- Communication.- Humans in Space.- Observing Satellites.- Where to Go.- The Future.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"This is a book I’ve really mixed feelings about – it does what it sets out to do very well. And it does what it says on the tin. It’s a plain English introduction to rocket science. … I would highly recommend it if you want to absorb all the basic facts about rocketry and space travel." (Brian Clegg, PopularScience, June, 2008)

"Lucy Rogers’ book It’s Only Rocket Science: An Introduction in Plain English tries to demystify what is a notoriously complicated subject. … I have a feeling that students and young aerospace professionals will find this book useful. When they don’t quite understand what their lecturers are trying to tell them, Rogers will be there to help them out." (Piers Bizony, BBC Sky at Night, September, 2008)

"The term ‘rocket science’ implies that one needs a very sophisticated level of technological and scientific knowledge to understand the principles of this field. However, Rogers (Isle of Wight, UK) attempts to explain these seemingly complex phenomena in relatively simple terms, i.e., without reference to mathematics. … Rogers does a good job in explaining … topics in accessible language. The chapters include line drawings and half-tone and color photographs; technical appendixes and a glossary augment the text. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers." (J. Z. Kiss, CHOICE, Vol. 46 (01), September, 2008)

From the Publisher