Twenty years since the first edition was published in the German language, and just over fifty years since the launch of the Earth's first ever artificial satellite Sputnik 1, this third edition of the Handbook of Space Technology presents in fully integrated colour a detailed insight into the fascinating world of space for the first time in the English language.

Authored by over 70 leading experts from universities, research institutions and the space industry, this comprehensive handbook describes the processes and methodologies behind the development, construction, operation and utilization of space systems, presenting the profound changes that have occurred in recent years in the engineering, materials, processes and even politics associated with space technologies and utilization. The individual chapters are self-contained, enabling the reader to gain a quick and reliable overview of a selected field; an extensive reference and keyword list helps those who wish to deepen their understanding of individual topics.

Featuring superb, full colour illustrations and photography throughout, this interdisciplinary reference contains practical, hands-on engineering and planning information that will be invaluable to those on a career path within space technology, or simply for those of us who'd like to know more about this fascinating industry.

Main section headings include:

Introduction (historical overview, space missions)
Fundamentals (orbital mechanics, aerothermodynamics/ reentry, space debris)
Launch Vehicles (staged technologies, propulsion systems, launch infrastructure)
Space Vehicle Subsystems (structure, energy supply, thermal controls, attitude control, communication)
Aspects of Human Flight (man in space, life support systems, rendezvous and docking)
Mission Operations (satellite operation, control center, ground station network)
Utilization of Space (Earth observation, communication navigation, space astronomy, material sciences, space medicine, robotics)
Configuration and Design of a Space Vehicle (mission concept, system concept, environmental simulation, system design, Galileo satellites)
Management of Space Missions (project management, quality management, cost management, space law)

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription.

No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn more here.

Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete

Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.

Both plans are available with monthly, semester, or annual billing cycles.

We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1 million books across 1000+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn more here.

Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more here.

Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS or Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.

Yes, you can access Handbook of Space Technology by Wilfried Ley, Klaus Wittmann, Willi Hallmann, Wilfried Ley,Klaus Wittmann,Willi Hallmann,Willi Hallmann, Wilfried Ley, Klaus Wittmann, Willi Hallmann in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Technology & Engineering & Aeronautic & Astronautic Engineering. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.