A Vision of Future Space Transportation: A Visual Guide to Future Spacecraft Concepts [With CDROM]

If you are looking for nuts and bolts look elsewhere but if you want a high level overview this is a wornderful book. It is written in easy to understand, non rocket science language and I like it. Pictures are vivid and it is a beatutiful easy to read and understand book.

Great book to see into the future of space transportation.

There have been some great books in the past detailing the space transportation methods being considered then- but that's why we call those history. At this time when we are looking ahead to new and improved ways to get up into orbit and beyond, Apogee books comes out with the best and most timely book on the subject. This volume details the most recent and newest ideas to come along for vehicles to replace the shuttle system, and the propulsion methods to get us out to the planets. With chapters detailing each new scheme, it covers everything from ballistic capsules to new shuttle designs to vehicles for mass space tourism. Propulsion designs included are up to date- even the NASA nuclear Initive designs are included. This is the book that congressional aides are carrying around so that they know enough to talk with their bosses- shouldn't you know as much as they?

This book could inspire the next generation of space explorers just like the old Collier's Magazines of the '50's did to previous generations. The book is written and more importantly illustrated by Tim McElyea one of the premier NASA animimation and simulation producers down in Huntsville AL. The book has full color renderings of many new ideas of space transportation systems and vehicles. McElyea is careful to point out that he is not a rocket scientist, but an artist. He has included some vehicles that will undoubtedly raise a smile on many a space advocates lips as unlikely to see the light of day. But as McElyea comments it is not up to him to endorse one system over another. He is merely including systems that have technical merit and warrant investigating.The book is a gorgeous panoply of color photos and computer generated simulations. The most amazing part though is that the bonus CD Rom includes most of the vehicles in full motion with sound tracks. As well as videos produced for NASA of the Advanced Space Transportation Program based in Huntsville and 3D interactive sections.The book is the official publication of SpaceDay which is a national educational program involving millions of students worldwide. Some of the SpaceDay competition winners are included in the book.This book is wonderful, I cannot put it down except to look at the CD Rom. Well done Tim McElyea and Apogee Books!