What do we understand of the birth and death of stars? What is the nature of the tiny dust grains that permeate our Galaxy and other galaxies? And how likely is the existence of brown dwarfs, extrasolar planets or other sub-stellar mass objects? These are just a few of the questions that can now be addressed in a new era of infrared observations. IR astronomy has been revolutionised over the past few years by the widespread availability of large, very sensitive IR arrays and the success of IR satellites (IRAS in particular). Several IR space missions due for launch over the next few years...

The processes that space science missions follow, from proposal to a space agency, to successful mission completion, are numerous. The rationale behind approval of a mission and its payload cannot be presented in undergraduate courses. This book contains contributions from experts involved in today's space missions at various levels. Chapters cover mission phases and implementation, launchers and cruise strategies, including gravity assist maneuvers and different thrust scenarios. Although the book concentrates on the ESA program Cosmic Visions, its content is relevant to space science...