Seven Wonders of Space Technology

by Fred Bortz

Overview

Have you ever wondered...

How satellites are used in our everyday lives?

How the International Space Station was bult?

What future missions to other planets space engineers are planning?

The answers are found in this book. Read about the people and the science behind these wonders of space technology:

Future Space Travel

The Great Observatories

The International Space Station

Mars Rovers

Moon Bases and Moon Water

New Horizons

Weather Satellites

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761354536
Publisher:	Twenty-First Century Books (CT)
Publication date:	02/28/2011
Series:	Lerner Seven Wonders Series
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

After a 25-year career as a physicist, Fred Bortz turned to full-time writing in 1996 after his third book for young readers, Catastrophe! Great Engineering Failure—and Success (Scientific American Books for Young Readers, 1995), was designated a Selector's Choice on the National Science Teacher's Association's list of Outstanding Trade Books for Children. His books for Lerner imprints include: Techno-Matter: The Materials Behind the Marvels (Twenty-First Century Books, 2001, winner of the 2002 American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award for works intended for young readers and selected for several best books lists); Collision Course! Cosmic Impacts and Life on Earth (Millbrook Press, 2001, a School Library Journal Top Ten Science and Technology book); Astrobiology (Cool Science series, 2008); Seven Wonders of Exploration Technology (Twenty-First Century Books, 2010); and Seven Wonders of Space Technology (Twenty-First Century Books, 2011).

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

1 The Great Observatories 7

2 The International Space Station 21

3 Down-to-Earth Satellites 29

4 Moon Bases and Moon Water 35

5 Mars Rovers 43

6 New Horizons 51

7 Future Technologies for Space Travel 61

Timeline 72

Choose an Eighth Wonder 73

Glossary 74

Source Notes 75

Selected Bibliography 76

Further Reading and Websites 76

Index 78

Editorial Reviews

This volume of the "Seven Wonders" series explores space observatories, the International Space Station, satellites, moon bases and moon water, rovers on Mars, new horizons, and future developments in traveling around space. Seven chapters discuss each respective wonder and facts related to each topic. The "Great Observatories" chapter begins by noting that many civilizations have been interested in studying astronomy, discusses reasons for establishing space observatories, and concludes with descriptions of various telescopes and observatories: the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space Telescope. The reader is presented with insets in this chapter which discuss gamma rays from the moon, what will happen to the HST when it stops working, and how the sun will die. Within each chapter readers are introduced to the history as well as the most current science regarding each topic. Throughout the book clear, descriptive photos and illustrations bring to life the complex ideas and concepts within the text. The complicated text is balanced by helpful insets, diagrams, and graphics which serve to aid the reader's understanding of the text. A table of contents, timeline, glossary, and index add to the book's ease of use. This book is informative without being overwhelming; an excellent choice for learning about the most amazing aspects of space technology. Reviewer: Katie DeWald

Children's Literature - Katie DeWald