Super Structures in Space: From Satellites to Space Stations- a Guide to What's Out There

Since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, hundreds of spacecraft--from satellites and probes to space stations--have ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere to orbit the globe, fly to other planets, peer into the depths of the universe, or encounter comets and asteroids. Many have become household names, their missions the focus of popular attention, while others undertake their equally important tasks in relative anonymity. Superstructures in Space is the first book to present pictorially the most important of these man-made objects. Featuring a wealth of breathtaking illustrations, this remarkable volume reveals the exciting story behind each selected spacecraft: its origins and development, its designers and manufacturers, and its launch and objectives. It represents the first survey of the world's most significant and fascinating spacecraft at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Superstructures in Space is an authoritative and engaging book written by an eminent aerospace historian that appeals to readers of all ages.