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The Cambridge encyclopedia of space
Books
Enquire within THE CAMBRIDGE OF S P A C E
ENCYCLOPEDIA
Edited by Michael Rycroft
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991, 386 pp, £50 Rocketry, the exploration and exploitation of space have come a long way in the 30-odd years since the space age began: this lavishly illustrated guide is an attempt to provide a comprehensive account of the history and current status of all space activities so far and to speculate on future directions. Although aimed at the general reader, it contains much that will be useful and of interest to the expert. The Encyclopedia was first published in France as Le Grand Atlas de L'Espace. This presumably accounts for the preponderance of French authors among the '100 experts from a dozen countries' who have written the entries. While Europe and the USSR are also commendably well repre-
• planning • pricing • performance
sented, it is unusual to see so few names from the USA. Still, the country's activities are amply described, as befits its status. The book is not a classical encyclopedia in that its entries do not appear a l p h a b e t i c a l l y ; r a t h e r it takes a thematic approach to subjects covered, starting with the (ancient) history of humanity's dream of spaceflight which contains interesting sections on the theme in fiction - and early versions of the rocket. While these were largely for military purposes, one was apparently used to power whalers' harpoons in the 19th century.
Hard facts The second part covers the reality of getting into space via propulsion, launchers and satellite systems and also includes data on national launch sites, space agencies and the hazards of space debris. Next, exploration and science is examined. Here the temptation to OD on arty photographs taken in space of planets and stars is resisted
- far more of the pictures show details or diagrams of exploratory craft and instruments. The final section deals with living in space, a broad subject divided into satellite applications, humans in space and space industry. Tacked on to the end of this are short sections on the military dimension and international law as it relates to outer space. One might not expect law to be lengthily covered in a general tome, but given that over half of all space activity still contains a military component it is somewhat surprising that only 16 pages are devoted to military programmes here. The Encyclopedia is fun to dip into. The serious researcher might find it harder to extract specific information from the thematic format, however though the information is probably there - but the layperson with an interest in space should find it a jolly good read. Since this is what it sets out to be, the book can be said to have succeeded.
Frances Brown Edenbridge, UK
• management • regulation
The public service utilities under consideration will be - electricity, gas, coal, oil, t e l 4 ~ ~ L , water and waste, and urban transport - in developed, n e w l y industrializing and less developed countries. The journal will ~ comprehensive and detailed information for industry managers, analysts, researchers, lending institutions and others I:~T1~il~t:lng in this important and rapidlyevolving environment. U t i l i t i e s P o l i c y will be published 4 times a year in January, April, July and October. The first issue will be published in October 1990. 1991 A n n u a l subscription (5 Issues for t h e price of 4): £110 (UK a n d Europe) £121 (Rest of W o r l d ) ISSN: 0957-1787
For a FREE SAMPLE COPY and subscriptiondetails write to: Alice Scott-Taylor, Butterworth-Heinemann,Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX2 8DP Tel: (0865) 310366 Telex:83111 BHPOXF G. Fax: (0865) 310898
Butterworth-Heinemann
Enquire within THE CAMBRIDGE OF S P A C E
ENCYCLOPEDIA
Edited by Michael Rycroft
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1991, 386 pp, £50 Rocketry, the exploration and exploitation of space have come a long way in the 30-odd years since the space age began: this lavishly illustrated guide is an attempt to provide a comprehensive account of the history and current status of all space activities so far and to speculate on future directions. Although aimed at the general reader, it contains much that will be useful and of interest to the expert. The Encyclopedia was first published in France as Le Grand Atlas de L'Espace. This presumably accounts for the preponderance of French authors among the '100 experts from a dozen countries' who have written the entries. While Europe and the USSR are also commendably well repre-
• planning • pricing • performance
sented, it is unusual to see so few names from the USA. Still, the country's activities are amply described, as befits its status. The book is not a classical encyclopedia in that its entries do not appear a l p h a b e t i c a l l y ; r a t h e r it takes a thematic approach to subjects covered, starting with the (ancient) history of humanity's dream of spaceflight which contains interesting sections on the theme in fiction - and early versions of the rocket. While these were largely for military purposes, one was apparently used to power whalers' harpoons in the 19th century.
Hard facts The second part covers the reality of getting into space via propulsion, launchers and satellite systems and also includes data on national launch sites, space agencies and the hazards of space debris. Next, exploration and science is examined. Here the temptation to OD on arty photographs taken in space of planets and stars is resisted
- far more of the pictures show details or diagrams of exploratory craft and instruments. The final section deals with living in space, a broad subject divided into satellite applications, humans in space and space industry. Tacked on to the end of this are short sections on the military dimension and international law as it relates to outer space. One might not expect law to be lengthily covered in a general tome, but given that over half of all space activity still contains a military component it is somewhat surprising that only 16 pages are devoted to military programmes here. The Encyclopedia is fun to dip into. The serious researcher might find it harder to extract specific information from the thematic format, however though the information is probably there - but the layperson with an interest in space should find it a jolly good read. Since this is what it sets out to be, the book can be said to have succeeded.
Frances Brown Edenbridge, UK
• management • regulation
The public service utilities under consideration will be - electricity, gas, coal, oil, t e l 4 ~ ~ L , water and waste, and urban transport - in developed, n e w l y industrializing and less developed countries. The journal will ~ comprehensive and detailed information for industry managers, analysts, researchers, lending institutions and others I:~T1~il~t:lng in this important and rapidlyevolving environment. U t i l i t i e s P o l i c y will be published 4 times a year in January, April, July and October. The first issue will be published in October 1990. 1991 A n n u a l subscription (5 Issues for t h e price of 4): £110 (UK a n d Europe) £121 (Rest of W o r l d ) ISSN: 0957-1787
For a FREE SAMPLE COPY and subscriptiondetails write to: Alice Scott-Taylor, Butterworth-Heinemann,Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX2 8DP Tel: (0865) 310366 Telex:83111 BHPOXF G. Fax: (0865) 310898
Butterworth-Heinemann