Utilization of Space: Today and Tomorrow

ISBN-13: 9783642064371 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 410 str.

Berndt Feuerbacher; Heinz Stoewer

Opis

Utilization of space, what for? This book attempts to answer this question With this volume we intend to provide a single reference for the broad field of space utilization. Of all the books we know, this is the first to cover all aspects of scientific and application oriented activities in space, even though with limits. We have attempted to document the current state of the art and open at the same time a perspective towards the future. We also want to bridge the gap between the many popular books dealing with space, and academic te- books on specific research fields in space science, applications, or technology. The book addresses a professional readership, while still offering much information to interested laymen. It should well serve students of physics, geodesy, informatics, mechanical, electrical or aerospace engineering. It should give scientists at universities and research institutions an overview of the extensive opportunities offered by space investigations, and industrial engineers and managers additional insights into the commercial potential of space. It should also help decision makers in agencies, governments, and industry to understand better the multidisciplinary interrelationships between utilization aspects and space infrastructure. Our co-authors are amongst the world s most distinguished leaders in their fields. Their respective areas of - search are presented by many illustrations and focus on the central messages rather than attempting to be exha- tive. Each chapter lists references for further reading, highlighting original publications, the most relevant te- books, and major internet resources."

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"This ambitious book attempts, with much success, to answer the question 'why accept the costs and risks associated with space activity?' It provides a comprehensive look both at the capabilities that have been developed to allow humans to access space and at the wide variety of activities enabled by those capabilities. ... an excellent introduction to space science and technology for an advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate student. ... Berndt Feuerbacher and Heinz Stoewer are to be commended ... ." (John M. Logsdon, Space Policy, Vol. 22 (2), 2006)

"This handsome 400 page hardback volume is a collection of fourteen review articles ... . The articles are organized into six sections covering general aspects of access to space ... . The book is heavily illustrated throughout with colour images and graphics, adding to the quality feel ... . Each article has a comprehensive list of references plus web references where relevant. ... a comprehensive review of the importance of space based exploration on our understanding of the solar system and our Universe." (Roger Feasey, AAS Journal, February, 2007)

"This book aims 'to serve as a single, authoritative reference covering the state of the art and future developments in the various dimensions of scientific and application oriented activities in space.' In this ... aim I think it has been broadly successful. ... All the chapters are competently written by experts in their respective fields ... . The illustrations are good and up-to-date ... . I am happy to recommend it for university and technical libraries, and for scientists and engineers ... ." (Ian Crawford, The Observatory, Vol. 126 (1193), 2006)

"The editors of this book attempted - and to a large extent succeeded - to provide a single reference volume for the wide topic of space sciences and space utilization ... . The book can serve as an overview and a helpful reference for a wide audience of graduate students and researchers as well as interested non-specialists. ... All in all, this is a well-balanced and informative book, which I would recommend it to those who look for 'global' information in a single volume on space applications." (Ioannis A. Daglis, www.the-eggs.org, Issue 20, June, 2007)

Spis treści

Space: Beyond the Horizon.- Space Utilization.- Access to Space — the Prerequisites for Space Utilization.- Looking down: our Earth.- The Earth Surface.- Climate and Environment.- Weather Observations from Space.- Geodynamics.- Looking up: Stars and Planets.- Astronomy and Astrophysics.- The Solar System.- Between Space and Earth.- Communications.- Satellite Navigation.- Space as a Laboratory.- Fundamental Physics.- Materials Sciences.- Life Sciences.- Any Limits?.- Challenges and Perspectives.

Blurb

Almost 50 years after the launch of Sputnik, the diversity and criticality of the technology and applications already in place to exploit the ‘high-frontier’ is impressive. And it is no exaggeration to state that a precondition for meeting human needs, coping with environmental problems, and maintaining security is the successful exploitation of space. Yet no one overview exists to document what we have so far done, and soon plan to accomplish, to utilize the near-Earth space environment. Utilization of Space aims to serve as an authoritative overview for professionals and interested laymen by explaining scientific space utilisation, commercial and entrepreneurial issues, and technological applications. The chapters are written by leading specialists in the respective fields and on a level comprehensible to an educated, but not necessarily technically-trained, reader. Enhanced by informative color illustrations, it is intended not only to transmit useful and timely information to readers, but also to share with them the fascination attached to space activities experienced by those actively engaged in them