Description
This is a brilliant explanation of the basics of space flight, from building the rocket to planning the mission and getting home again. Written by an engineer who is also an accomplished science writer, it covers the subject comprehensively, yet is almost entirely descriptive and non-mathematical.
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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.
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