Space technology encompasses many aspects of science and technology and is a subject in constant flux. This dictionary has been compiled with the aim of providing a convenient source of reference to some of the most important aspects of this developing technology, concentrating on fundamental terms that will remain in common use in the foreseeable future. The unprecedented depth of coverage ensures that the book is fully comprehensive, with entries on all the important areas of the subject. Dictionary of Space Technology, in addition to the definitions of basic concepts, also includes a selection of historical and highly specific entries to add colour and depth to the subject. While the emphasis is on defining the meaning of a word or phrase, the entries have been written with the intention of enhancing the understanding of the subject, both for the practising specialist and the interested layman. To assist the reader in research on a given topic, related entries are highlighted in the text and other important entries are cross-referenced. To facilitate the use of the dictionary, all the entries are listed at the end of the book, classified under one of the following headings. Spacecraft technology Space centres and organisations Communications technology Orbits Propulsion technology Propellants Launch vehicles Materials Manned spaceflight Physics and astronomy Space shuttle Miscellaneous Dictionary of Space Technology has over 1600 entries and is illustrated with over 100 photographs and diagrams. It will be an indispensible aid to anyone with an interest in the field.
Space technology, since its birth in the late 1950's, has changed almost beyond all recognition. This dictionary has been compiled with the aim of providing a convenient source of reference to some of the most important aspects of this developing technology. It was decided by the author that this book should be a dictionary rather than an encyclopedia. In other words, the emphasis is on defining the meaning of a word or a phrase, and in some cases giving notes on its derivation and usage, rather than providing large amounts of background information. The entries have been written with the intention of enhancing the understanding of the subject, both for the practising specialist and the interested layman. To this end the dictionary icludes terms at all levels of sophistication: from the academic to the trivial: from the precision of engineering terminology to the frivolity of jargon. The entries in this dictionary are arranged in alphabetical order. To assist the reader in research on a given topic, related entries are highlighted in the text and other important entries are included as a "see also".
In an attempt to cover the fundamentals of space technology, the dictionary includes material which could be placed under the following headings: spacecraft technology; communications technology; propulsion technology; launch vehicles; manned spacecraft; space shuttle; space centres and organisations; orbits; propellants; materials; physics and astronomy. To facilitate the use of the dictionary, a classified list of all the dictionary entries under these headings is included at the end of the book.
