It's Only Rocket Science: An Introduction in Plain English Book

Introduction     1
Space     2
Solar Wind and the Van Allen Radiation Belts     2
Gravity     5
Propulsion     7
Orbits     12
Inclination     12
Eccentricity     13
Space Debris     14
Magnitude     15
Space Law     16
General Information     17
Rockets and Spacecraft     19
Pre-spaceflight     19
Rocket Basics     26
Multistaging     26
Launch Pad to Orbit     29
Launch Vehicles     30
Sounding Rockets     33
Attitude Control and Movement     34
Gravity Gradients and Tidal Forces     34
Spin Stabilization     37
Three Axis Stabilization     37
Magnetic Torquers     39
Spacecraft     40
Communication and Navigation Spacecraft     40
Fly-by Spacecraft     40
Orbiter Spacecraft     41
Atmospheric Spacecraft     41
Lander and Rover Spacecraft     42
Observatory Spacecraft     42
Penetrator Spacecraft and Impactors     43
Manned Spaceflight     43
Power Systems     44
Primary Energy Source     44
Secondary Power Source     48
Power Control and Distribution System     50
Thermal Control Systems     50
Thermal Protection for Re-entry Vehicles     51
Space Missions     55
Launch System     57
Launch Sites     57
Launch Windows     60
Landing Sites     62
Earth Landing Sites     62
Landing on Other Bodies in the Solar System     67
Emergency Systems     74
Launch Escape System     74
Shuttle Emergency Egress System     75
Shuttle Launch Abort     75
In-flight Crew Escape System     77
Mission Operations     78
Testing and Pre-launch     78
Launch     78
End of Life     79
Reliability     80
Movement in Three Dimensions     83
Orbits     84
Orbit Shape     85
Types of Orbit     88
Lagrangian Points     93
Lagrangian Point 1 (L1)     93
Lagrangian Point 2 (L2)      94
Lagrangian Point 3 (L3)     95
Lagrangian Points 4 and 5 (L4 and L5)     95
Getting into Orbit     96
Changing Orbits     96
Perturbations     97
Station-keeping     97
Changing the Altitude or Shape of an Orbit     98
Low Thrust Trajectory     101
Orbit Inclination Changes or Out-of-Plane Orbit Changes     102
Rendezvous and Intercept     103
Interplanetary and Interstellar Trajectories     104
Gravity Assist, Fly-by or Sling Shot     105
Ground Tracks     108
Propulsion Systems     115
Chemical Rocket Propulsion     116
Solid Propellants or Rocket Motors     116
Liquid Propellants or Rocket Engines     120
Gelled Propellants     126
Hybrid Propellants     126
Cold Gas Propellants     127
Electric Propulsion     127
Electrothermal Systems     128
Electrostatic Engines or Ion Drives     128
Electromagnetic or Magnetoplasma Engines     130
Nuclear Propulsion     131
Nuclear Electric Rocket     131
Solar Thermal Propulsion (STP)     131
Other Forms of Propulsion     132
Navigation in Three Dimensions     133
Coordinate Systems     134
Locating Spacecraft     139
Inertial Navigation     140
Magnetometers     142
External References     143
Earth-based Navigation and Tracking Systems     148
Lunar and Interplanetary Systems     148
Time Dilation and Relativistic Effects     149
Communication     151
Tracking, Telemetry and Command     151
Radiowave Communication     152
Ground Stations     152
Spacecraft Systems     154
Antennas, Transmitters and Receivers     154
Radio Blackout     158
Radar     162
Parcels to Space     163
Parcels from Space     164
Human Communications     165
Radio and Video Links     167
Humans in Space     169
Launch and Re-entry     169
Acceleration     169
Vibration and Sound     173
Environmental Control and Life Support     174
Air Quality     174
Pressure     175
Temperature     177
Fire Suppression     179
Water     180
Radiation     181
Meteoroid Strike and Space Debris     184
Living in Space     185
Freefall Effects     185
Space Sickness     188
Toilet     189
Ablutions     194
Clothing     195
Sleep     199
Psychological Effects     200
Food     201
Return to Earth     207
Observing Satellites     209
Catalogues of Objects in Space     212
International Identification Number     213
Space Catalogue     213
Natural Bodies     214
Tracking Spacefaring Objects     216
Optical     217
Infrared Tracking     221
Radio     221
Radar     222
Deep Space     223
Tracking from Space     225
Amateur Tracking     226
Optical     226
Radio     232
Radar     235
Where to Go     237
The Sun     237
Planets and Their Satellites     240
Mercury      240
Venus     245
Earth     247
Mars     251
Jupiter     255
Saturn     258
Uranus     261
Neptune     263
Dwarf Planets     264
Pluto     265
Ceres     266
Eris (2003 UB313)     266
Small Solar System Bodies     267
Asteroids     267
Comets     269
The Future     273
Commercial Space Flight     274
Space Tourism     276
Future Propulsion Systems     279
Solar Sailing     279
Beam Sailing     284
Tethers     292
Space Elevators     296
Space Fountain     297
Sky Hooks     298
Nuclear     298
Magnetic Satellite Launch System or Magnetic Mass Drivers     300
The Distant Future     301
Orbital Elements     303
Inclination (i)     303
Longitude of the Ascending Node ([Omega])     304
Argument of Periapsis or Perigee ([omega])     305
Eccentricity (e)     305
Semi-major Axis (a)     306
Anomaly at Epoch (v)     306
Time of Periapsis or Perigee Passage (T)     306
Coordinate Systems     307
Geocentric Coordinate Systems     307
Heliocentric Coordinate Systems     307
Perifocal Coordinate System     307
Web Site Addresses     309
Practical Information for Observing Satellites     311
Two-Line Element (TLE) Sets     312
Positional Observations     314
Flash Period Observations     316
Types of Reflection     316
Synodic Effect     316
Measurement of Flash Period     317
Brightness Measurement     318
Glossary     319
Bibliography     327
Index     329