The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space: Missions, Applications and Exploration [Hardcover]

Fernand Verger (Author), Isabelle Sourbès-Verger (Author), Raymond Ghirardi (Author), Stephen Lyle (Translator), Paul Reilly (Translator), John M. Logsdon (Foreword), Xavier Pasco (Contributor)

Book Description

Series: Encyclopedia | Publication Date: September 22, 2003

Since the lift-off of Sputnik in 1957, over 8,000 satellites and spacecraft have been launched from over thirty countries, costing hundreds of billions of dollars. While only about 350 people have made the incredible journey beyond our atmosphere, we all benefit in countless ways from the missions. An authoriative and accessible source that collects information on man's quest to explore the Universe, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space, provides a global perspective of our occupation and use of space, whether for scientific, industrial, commercial, technical, or military purposes. The authors set the stage by describing the space environment, orbits and ground tracks, launchers and launch sites. Subsequently, they discuss the main space applications (telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation, military), plus science missions, planetary exploration, and space stations. Extensively illustrated with more than 300 illustrations, maps, and graphs, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space will be an invaluable resource for everyone interested in our use of space, and the perfect reference for those working in the space arena. Fernand Verger is Professor Emeritus of Geography at L'Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris. Isabelle Sourbés-Verger is a researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research and the Foundation for Strategic Research, Paris. Raymond Ghirardi is a cartographic engineer at the CNRS and has worked on many geopolitical projects. Xavier Pasco is a researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research and Associate Professor at the Universite de Marne la Vallee. Pasco is also a Fellow at the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This far-reaching reference work provides a detailed look at humans' exploration and occupation of space, from the military applications of satellites to the development of the International Space Station. The authors review the history and technologies of space programs in various countries-including the U.S., Russia, China and India-and discuss different types of scientific research, such as geodesy, the study of the shape of the Earth and its gravitational fields. With 300 illustrations and graphs, this large format hardcover is not meant to be a coffee table book-it's for serious space buffs who want a comprehensive reference tool.
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Review

"General and specialist readers alike will find The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space an accessible introduction to space activities conducted by all countries since the mid-20th century...an extraordinarily ambitious accomplishment...[it] will reward anyone interested in the history or contemporary profile of human activities in space." Science

"An authoritative, up-to-date reference..." Paper Clips

"The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space superbly covers both the mysteries of science and the workings of national politics to present a combined wealth of information ideal for nonspecialist general readers of all backgrounds." The Bookwatch

"...If you want to understand the worldwide system of telecommunications satellites, this is the place to go. you also learn about the space programs of countries such as India, Japan and China, as well as the United States and Russia. This book is very detailed, good for the serious space junkie."...Is HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Sunday Dec. 14. 2003

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 428 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1st edition (September 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521773008
• ISBN-13: 978-0521773003
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mysteries of science and the workings of national politics, November 14, 2003

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space: Missions, Applications and Exploration (Hardcover)

The collaborative work of Fernand Verger (Professor Emeritus of Geography at L'Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris), Isabelle Sourbes-Verger (National Center for Scientific Research and the Foundation for Strategic Research, Paris), and Raymond Ghirardi (Cartographic Engineer, CNRS), and Xavier Pasco (Associate Professor, Universite de Marne la Vallee, Pasco), The Cambridge Encyclopedia Of Space is a globally-themed, wonderfully illustrated resource compendium of man's perspective and occupation of space. Ranging from the vast variety of satellites (including telecommunication, navigation, and military ones), to the workings of the space shuttle, to budgets and space activity around the world, The Cambridge Encyclopedia Of Space superbly covers both the mysteries of science and the workings of national politics to present a combined wealth of information for ideal for nonspecialist general readers of all backgrounds. Simply put, no school or community library Astronomy & Space Science collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of The Cambridge Encyclopedia Of Space.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A serious reference work, not for browsers, April 30, 2004

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M. A Michaud "michael_michaud" (Dulles, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space: Missions, Applications and Exploration (Hardcover)

This book raises space encyclopedias to a new level. Many previous books of this type have been collections of images interspersed with some lightweight text. Not this one. The French authors of this work go into considerable technical detail about the many topics they cover, including the celestial mechanics of artificial satellites, their orbits and ground tracks, and the trajectories of interplanetary probes. The authors focus primarily on scientific and applications missions, with relatively little attention to manned space programs. The world's launch vehicles and launch sites are covered thoroughly, as are earth observation satellites. The excellent charts and diagrams are detailed and comprehensive; the photographic images are well chosen and well reproduced.

Unlike many space-related books published in the United States, this encyclopedia does not focus on American space achievements. Its balanced perspective on world space programs may be a useful corrective.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dated but Fascinating Reading, July 21, 2010

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Astrobooker "Astrosaint" (Tampa, FLA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space: Missions, Applications and Exploration (Hardcover)

The title says it all. The illustrations are very detailed. This Cambridge book is good addition for the Aerospace Historian's library.