Secret Projects: Military Space Technology - Hardcover

Rose, Bill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1857802969 ISBN 13: 9781857802962

Publisher: Midland Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

This book outlines the development of space technology for military purposes from its very beginnings during World War 2 right up to the latest, most sophisticated systems. The author starts with references to the prewar era, then goes on to discuss German rocketry during World War 2 and their bold wartime ambitions, which were finally developed during the Cold War. By the mid-1950s, space was being visualized as the next big battlefield and both the US and Soviet Union had ambitions to expand their domains into the solar system. Many of these ideas were completely impractical, way beyond possible realisation, extremely dangerous and completely unaffordable. By the start of manned spaceflight, missions became politically motivated, although military projects continued in the background and this would eventually surface as the Star Wars (SDI) proposals. This is a serious factual study about the many projects that have come to the drawing board since the very beginning of space technology development; from the early experiments by the Germans in World War 2, through the X-plane era, 'Star Wars' and then to advanced spaceplane projects such as NASP (National Aerospace Plane), Copper Coast and the Aurora spaceplane, Soviet spaceplanes and long range USAF hypersonic strike and orbital aircraft. Many photographs are included to illustrate the detailed and comprehensive text.

About this title

About the Author

Bill Rose was born in 1948 and grew up in the North London suburbs. He was educated at Buckingham College and the University of Westminster. Bill began his working life as a laboratory technician, became a Fleet Street press photographer and eventually a photojournalist. As a writer, he has worked for many of the well-known science journals, a number of technical publications and various national and provincial newspapers. His principal areas of interest are photography, astronomy, space exploration and aviation. Bill has also undertaken background research for several UK-based TV production companies. He runs a small photographic business in Norfolk, which specialises in PR work, graphic design and image restoration.

Edition details

• Publisher: Midland Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1857802969
• ISBN 13: 9781857802962
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192