Handbook Satellite

Twenty years since the first edition was published in the German language, and just over fifty years since the launch of the Earth’s first ever artificial satellite Sputnik 1, this third edition of the Handbook of Space Technology presents in fully integrated colour a detailed insight into the fascinating world of space for the first time in the English language.
Authored by over 70 leading experts from universities, research institutions and the space industry, this comprehensive handbook describes the processes and methodologies behind the development, construction, operation and utilization of space systems, presenting the profound changes that have occurred in recent years in the engineering, materials, processes and even politics associated with space technologies and utilization. The individual chapters are self-contained, enabling the reader to gain a quick and reliable overview of a selected field; an extensive reference and keyword list helps those who wish to deepen their understanding of individual topics.

Approximately nine and a half billion miles from Earth, the American space satellite Pioneer 10 continues its lonely journey through the outer reaches of our solar system. If the space probe is ever discovered by another intelligent life form, the extraterrestrials will find a gold-plated plaque affixed to the side of the satellite.