The revised third edition of this eminently practical, hands-on book discusses the range of launch vehicles in use today throughout the world, and includes the very latest details of some of the advanced propulsion systems currently being developed.

The revised edition of this practical, hands-on book discusses the launch vehicles in use today throughout the world, and includes the latest details on advanced systems being developed, such as electric and nuclear propulsion. The author covers the fundamentals, from the basic principles of rocket propulsion and vehicle dynamics through the theory and practice of liquid and solid propellant motors, to new and future developments. He provides a serious exposition of the principles and practice of rocket propulsion, from the point of view of the user who is not an engineering specialist. Electric propulsion is now seen as the key to planetary exploration by robotic probes and nuclear propulsion has emerged from the doldrums and is now seen as a definite possibility for outer solar system robotic exploration, such as manned voyages to Mars.

A rigorous but accessible exposition of the principles and practice of rocket propulsion Details up to date treatement of the latest developments including nuclear and electrric propulsion Provides detailed presentation and world survey of the latest launch vehicles Essential results are presented in graphical form so that the mathematical parts can be by-passed

Inhalt
Chapter 1 Principles of Rocket Propulsion [Minor revisions and errata] Chapter 2 The Thermal Rocket Engine [Minor revisions and errata] Chapter 3 Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines [new sections added as specified and significant revision plus errata] Chapter 4 Solid Propellant Rocket Motors [minor updates & errata] Chapter 5 Launch Vehicle Dynamics [Minor updates & errata] Chapter 6 Electric Propulsion [New sections added and significant update of others] Chapter 7 New chapter on Nuclear Propulsion Chapter 8 Advanced Thermal Rockets [General Updates and errata] Appendix 1 on orbits will stay [Appendix 2 on Launcher survey will be updated and corrected] [Appendix 3 on new launcher families and proposed very heavy launcher developments]