Spaceplane HERMES

Spaceplane HERMES
Author: Luc van den Abeelen
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 593
Release: 2016-11-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3319444727

This is the first comprehensive book on the European Hermes program. It tells the fascinating story of how Europe aimed for an independent manned spaceflight capability which was to complement US and Soviet/Russian space activities. In 1975, France decided to expand its plans for automated satellites for materials processing to include the development of a small 10 ton spaceplane to be launched on top of a future heavy-lifting Ariane rocket. This Hermes spaceplane would give Europe its own human spaceflight capability for shuttling crews between Earth and space stations. The European Space Agency backed the proposal. Unfortunately, after detailed studies, the project was cancelled in 1993. If Hermes had been introduced into service, it could have become the preferred "space taxi" for ferrying crews to and from the International Space Station. But that opportunity was lost. This book provides the first look of the complete story of and reasons for the demise of this ambitious program. It also gives an account which pieces of Hermes survived and are active in the 2nd decade of the 21st century. This fascinating story will be a great read for space enthusiasts. But it will also serve as a comprehensive documentation of an important episode in the history of manned spaceflight.

European-Russian Space Cooperation

European-Russian Space Cooperation
Author: Brian Harvey
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 406
Release: 2021-04-10
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3030676862

The story of European-Russian collaboration in space is little known and its importance all too often understated. Because France was the principal interlocutor between these nations, such cooperation did not receive the attention it deserved in English-language literature. This book rectifies that history, showing how Russia and Europe forged a successful partnership that has continued to the present day. Space writer Brian Harvey provides an in-depth picture of how this European-Russian relationship evolved and what factors—scientific, political and industrial—propelled it over the decades. The history begins in the cold war period with the first collaborative ventures between the Soviet Union and European countries, primarily France, followed later by Germany and other European countries. Next, the chapters turn to the missions when European astronauts flew to Russian space stations, the Soyuz rocket made a new home in European territory in the South American jungle and science missions were flown to study deep space. Their climax is the joint mission to explore Mars, called ExoMars, which has already sent a mission to Mars. Through this close examination of these European-Russian efforts, readers will appreciate an altogether new perspective on the history of space exploration, no longer defined by competition, but rather by collaboration and cooperation.

Selected Aerothermodynamic Design Problems of Hypersonic Flight Vehicles

Selected Aerothermodynamic Design Problems of Hypersonic Flight Vehicles
Author: Ernst Heinrich Hirschel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2009-11-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 354089974X

In this book selected aerothermodynamic design problems in hypersonic vehicles are treated. Where applicable, it emphasizes the fact that outer surfaces of hypersonic vehicles primarily are radiation-cooled, an interdisciplinary topic with many implications.

Commercial Utilization of Outer Space

Commercial Utilization of Outer Space
Author: Traa-Engelman
Publisher: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers
Total Pages: 462
Release: 2023-11-27
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9004641033

This book assesses the present status of space activity regulation against the background of the progressive commercialization of outer space. The basic legal framework for outer space activity was established during a time when space endeavour was still in its infancy and a critical reassessment of its principles therefore forms the basis of this publication. The outcome of this analysis and the legal implications which result from applying it to practical space utilization yield an insight into the legal questions pertaining to space commercialization and its practical implementation. Commercial Utilization of Outer Space will be of great interest to academics and practitioners in the field of space activities, as well as to government policy makers in different sectors of space commercialization ranging from space transportation, satellite communication and remote sensing to space insurance and manufacturing in outer space. Wherever appropriate and feasible practical aspects have been dealt with against the background of present-day realities and developments foreseen for the future.