posted 06-30-2010 09:29 AM               

Designed between 1969 and 1972 and first flown into space in 1981, the NASA Shuttle will have flown almost 140 missions by the time it is retired in 2010. David Baker describes the origin of the reusable launch vehicle concept during the 1960s, its evolution into a viable flying machine in the early 1970s, and its subsequent design, engineering, construction and operation. The Shuttle's internal layout and systems are explained, including the operation of life support, electrical power production, cooling, propulsion, flight control, communications, land and avionics systems.

About the Author
David Baker joined the U.S. space program during the Apollo years and later worked on the development of NASA's Space Shuttle. He has written widely on the spaceflight technology and is the editor of Aviation News.

• Hardcover: 160 pages
  
• Publisher: Zenith Press; First edition (April 15, 2011)
  
• ISBN-10: 1844258661
  
• ISBN-13: 978-1844258666