Posts: 26598
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 10-31-2006 11:56 AM               

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There is an excellent new NASA publication, SP-2006-557, Reference Guide to the International Space Station edited by Gary Kitmacher.

From the introduction:

This book is designed to provide a broad overview of the Station's complex configuration, design, and component systems, as well as the sophisticated procedures required in the Station's construction and operation.

What sets this guide apart from other references is its full-color, illustrated layout. There are exploded diagrams of each component; fold-outs detailing station-wide life support and control systems; a step-by-step construction timeline that incorporates both illustrations and photography of the real hardware, either in space or on the ground; crew rosters, and much more.

Two sample pages:

Per the editor, many copies have already been distributed within the program. If you are interested in obtaining your own, you should write to the Space Station Program, JSC and request a copy. Apogee books is also reportedly considering republishing it.

Kitmacher says that a similar publication may be in the works for the NASA's Exploration architecture.

Posts: 3898
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 10-31-2006 12:00 PM               

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Had the chance to see a draft copy of it. It's just truly brilliant, magnificent, I'm running out of words. This is THE kind of books I'd like to have (and see more often).

I still don't get it why publishers don't come up with such amazing books (except for costs maybe).

Posts: 965
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Jun 2004

Posts: 3898
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 11-13-2006 09:59 AM               

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I don't have any news from NASA regarding this book. Same thing regarding the LLRV monograph. But since both are not published by NASA HQ (JSC and Dryden) and communications (or lack of) being minimal at best, I guess we'll have to wait.

Each center has its own distribution system and I don't have any clue as to how things will eventually turn regarding the distribution of both publications.

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Posts: 169
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

Posts: 26598
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-15-2006 10:59 AM               

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Apparently, the NASA SP-version of the book is no longer available. All copies printed were given out.

That said, as mentioned above, the Apogee version should be available later this month. It will not feature fold-out pages and will be of a smaller format, but should be just as spectacular when seen in-person.

Posts: 3898
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

Posts: 108
From: Seekonk, Mass., USA
Registered: May 2003

posted 12-08-2006 03:09 PM               

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I just received my copy of Apogee's reprint of the Reference Guide to the International Space Station from Amazon today.

It is an incredible publication with information about all of the modules, launch vehicles and every flight that has flown to the ISS up to the middle of this year.

I would have loved to see this in a larger size, but this one of the best books I've seen on the station.

Posts: 120
From: Cork, Cork, Ireland
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 01-18-2007 05:09 AM            

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Looking at the patches in this book's chapter on missions, I see they've used a non-standard patch for ISS Expedition 1 and for STS-112.

If this is an official NASA book, are these the official patches for these missions?

Posts: 26598
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 3898
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

Posts: 965
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Jun 2004