Keys to Space [Paperback]

A. Houston (Editor), Michael J. Rycroft (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070294380 | ISBN-13: 978-0070294387 | Publication Date: June 1, 1999

This text offers a balanced approach to the complexities ofspace, its many practical applications, and its relevanceto human society. It surveys all aspects of space, in aninterdisciplinary way, for the non-expert reader, andcomplements the many specialized textbooks available in thefield.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Primis (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070294380
• ISBN-13: 978-0070294387
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,599,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise introduction to the vast subject of space education, March 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Keys to Space (Paperback)

This is the core textbook from the prestigious "International Space University" (http://www.isunet.edu), from which I graduated from. ISU is unique inasmuch it offers both two-month Summer programs as well as an eleven-month Masters degree, the latter of which I attended. I went to ISU as an engineer and left with a broad knowledge of subjects such as Law, Policy, Architecture, Infrastructure, Mission Design, Environment, Astrodynamics, Applications (Remote Sensing, Telecommunications, Navigation), Humanities, Sciences.... Authored by an impressive list of internationally respected individuals, this book is a Holy Book for anyone serious about (or presently) working in the space sector, be you undergraduate or project manager. It doesn't matter if ISU is an institution for post-graduates, "Keys to Space" has been written in a way that even high school students can understand. It's an ideal book to motivate the younger generation as well.

I've reduced my rating from 5 to 4 because a) the book requires updating since a lot of references are made to projects that have since been cancelled, b) the quality of some of the diagrams and pictures are poor and c) there are a number of grammatical errors.

2.0 out of 5 stars Useful but Lacking, December 31, 2005

By 

Jack Kennedy Jr. "Jack Kennedy 276.275.4700" (Wise, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keys to Space (Paperback)

Key to Space was a text recently used in a graduate course and it does provide a rapid overview of various aspects of space activity flowing from each chapter. Yet it is lacking a bond to the reader to want to pick it up. It makes a contribution to knowledge of space activities but it could be done in a more alluring means. A few color photographs would have even helped hold the reader to the text. I would not purchase it but for required course material. In a word: 'dry.'