The Story of the Space Shuttle by David M Harland

The Story of the Space Shuttle by David M Harland

In spite of the Challenger and Columbia disasters, the US Space Shuttle, which entered service in 1981, remains the most successful spacecraft ever developed. Conceived and designed as a reusable spacecraft to provide cheap access to low Earth orbit, and to supersede expendable launch vehicles, serving as the National Space Transportation System, it now coexists with a new range of commercial rockets. David Harland's definitive work on the Space Shuttle explains the scientific contribution the Space Shuttle has made to the international space programme, detailing missions to Mir, Hubble and more recently its role in the assembly of the International Space Station. This substantial revision to existing chapters and extension of 'The Space Shuttle', following the loss of Columbia, will include a comprehensive account of the run-up to resumption of operations and conclude with a chapter beyond the Shuttle, looking at possible future concepts for a partly or totally reusable space vehicle which are being considered to replace the Shuttle.

From the reviews:

"As the space shuttle returns to flight for what will probably be its final series of missions, this book provides a comprehensive (400 pages) history of this ‘workhouse’ of the American space programme… A number of well-reproduced black and white photographs illustrate some of the highlights of the shuttle’s missions. Two useful appendices – a shuttle mission log and list of acronyms – round out the book. … this book is good value and deserves a place on every space enthusiast’s bookshelf." (Nick Quinn, Astronomy Now, September, 2005)

"This is another book from David Harland and Springer Praxis that deals with the scientific contribution the Shuttle has made to space travel. It lists the missions under type such as DoD, microgravity, Shuttle Mir, ISS and Communications Satellites, amongst others. … This approach is very good and Harland writes in a very informative and readable style. … The book … has some useful appendices. A recommended book for those who like to have at hand details of individual mission and their achievements." (Rex Hall, Spaceflight, Vol. 47 (5), May, 2005)

"The US Space Shuttle, which entered service in 1981, was conceived as a reusable spacecraft … . The Story of the Space Shuttle explains the scientific contribution that it has made to the international space programme, focusing on the Shuttle’s utility … . Each chapter is devoted to a specific type of operation, and the missions are discussed in this context. … David Harland provides the definitive work about this amazing project." (Praxis Publishing – Bookman, November, 2004)

Having followed spaceflight activities since 1968, David Shayler has a broad range of experience covering all aspects of human spaceflight history. In October 1982, he created Astro Info Service to focus on his space writing and research, with lectures and educational outreach activities. Early publications included the periodicals 'Orbiter' on the shuttle and 'Zenit' on Soviet activities, and a growing range of biographies on the world's space explorers. In 1990 David co-created the Midland Spaceflight Society and acted as its chairman. His first book was published in 1987 and since then he has authored over 20 titles, including 13 titles in the Praxis Space Library between 2000 and 2009. He has contributed to titles on human spaceflight, including the three editions of Who's Who in Space (MacMillan, 1998). Personal research has been conducted at NASA JSC in Houston, and at KSC in Florida, as well as at Rice and Clear Lake Universities and NARA archives in Texas. His research continues daily and new titles are under various stages of production, some of which are available via the AIS website.

David Harland studied astronomy to degree level, and pursued a career lecturing in computer science, and academic and industrial research. In 1995, David retired to resume his interest in space and started to write. He has over two dozen books published to date, a majority of them with Springer/Praxis and several others under contract. These days he considers himself to be an amateur hermit and a professional space historian.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781852337933
ISBN 10	1852337931
Title	The Story of the Space Shuttle
Author	David M Harland
Series	Space Exploration
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Springer London Ltd
Year published	2004-07-05
Number of pages	444
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable