Rockets

From the fire arrows of ancient China to the ballistic missiles developed during World War II to the rockets of the 20th century, the development of modern launch vehicles have forever changed the destiny of humankind. These sophisticated propulsion machines harness the action-reaction principle of physics and allow humans to enter a world that was previously denied them: outer space. In an eye-opening volume on this technological evolution, "Rockets" explores the historical events, scientific principles, and technical breakthroughs that now allow complex launch vehicles to send satellites into orbit around Earth.

Sidebars are strategically placed throughout the book to provide expanded discussions of fundamental scientific concepts and rocket engineering techniques. Capsule biographies of important rocket scientists and aerospace engineers are also included to emphasize the human aspect of these technological developments. Chapters include: From Fire Arrows to Mars Missions; Rocket Propulsion Fundamentals; Pioneering Rocket Planes; Military Missiles and Rockets; Space Launch Vehicles; Launch Sites; Upper-Stage Rockets and Orbital Transfer Vehicles; Sounding Rockets; Nuclear Rockets to Mars and Beyond; Electric Propulsion for Deep Space Missions; Advanced Propulsion Systems for the 21st Century; and Interstellar Probes and Starships.