Series: Space Technology
Hardcover: 800 pages
Publisher: McGraw Hill; 3rd edition (September 8, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0073407755
ISBN-13: 978-0073407753
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1.3 x 10.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #79,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Aerospace > Aerodynamics #20 in Books > Textbooks > Engineering > Aeronautical Engineering #41 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Aerospace > Astronautics & Space Flight
I was unaware of this book until I needed it for a college course in Orbital Dynamics. This book is the most accessible that I've seen on the subject. It supplies an in-depth, yet understandable explanation, of spaceflight principles covering orbital mechanics, rocket propulsion, guidance, and reentry. The math is at a high-school senior or college freshman level but a motivated individual should be able to master most of the material. Make sure to work the chapter problems if you want a thorough understanding of the subject. If you want to REALLY understand the basic principles of spaceflight, this is THE book!
Mr. Jerry Jon Seller's book, "Understanding Space" is an amazing textbook about the technical aspects of space. The text is well written, the diagrams are easily understood, and the "tech-factor" for space geeks is acceptably high. It is no wonder that the United States Air Force has recommended "Understanding Space" as its baseline text concerning Technical aspects of space flight.For those afraid of "rocket-science" level math, the book is written at a very easy level, using algebra, trigonometry, and bits of calculus covered with a whole BUNCH of physics. It is an excellent text for technical classes, and also easily readable for non-technical space classes. I've personally referenced this book in *EVERY* space-related class I've taken (4 undergrad and a *whole* bunch of graduate classes) - if you buy it, you will use it, I guarantee.The only downside to this text lies in the fault of its users, not the author or publisher. This book was written to be the introduction to the Space Technology Library, a list covering more advanced topics in space. That said, the text is written at a high-school/undergraduate level for math and physics; yet the USAF has committed its "Certified Space Professionals" to using the text at their advanced level "Space 200" course. If you're taking (or teaching) space-related classes, understand the level of information you're needing - there *are* other space technical books (some by the same publisher) that will cover these topics in more depth (i.e. harder math and physics).
I am Aerospace Engineering student and found the book to be a very good introduction to many questions regarding space and space travel. While this book does not go into specifics, it is easy to read and understand (high school level).
Excellent introduction book with some of the best illustrations to help you visualize the concepts. It is written at the high-school senior/college freshman level, so don't expect it to teach you anything as a grad student in Astro. But, for the price, it's a pretty good desk reference even for the grad student.It gets my highest recommendation for a basic introduction to the topic (expecially for the high-school senior).
The reader will need more than a passing familiarity with algebraic concepts, but this book is written in textbook format -- what the heck, it IS a textbook! If anyone ever planned to launch a satellite from their own backyard, this is the book that will guide them. Want to be an engineer-physicist? Want to be an astronaut? This is the book for you
I absolutely loved the class and this book when I took Orbital Mechanics. This book is extremely well written. The author clearly approaches each subject as if the reader has no prior knowledge of the subject. It's very easy to read, understand, and the exercises are very practical . . . even the harder ones don't play 'stump the chump.' The illustrations are also very vivid, and perfectly appropriate to the subject matter. This book did not disappoint me in the least.
The Air Force Academy has hit a grand slam with this book, and Embry-Riddle was wise to include it in its curriculum. This book is the equivalent of my coursework in 3rd Class Physics at West Point, but it has a decidedly aerospace slant to it that makes it an important piece for any person with a need to understand space. The illustrations are of superb quality and add to the learning experience of more visual learners unlike the Introduction to Astrodynamics book done by the Air Force Academy years earlier.
I've been in the aerospace career field for ten years as a Satellite Operator. I wanted to learn more about orbital mechanics and picked up this book. It breaks down everything in easy to understand terms and the next thing you know you just worked out a massive math problem.
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