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Part 1
Prefatory Material, Part 1: Chapter One
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Part 2
Part 2: Chapters Two – Nineteen
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Part 3
Part 3: Chapters Twenty – Twenty-Seven
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Part 4
Part 4: Chapters Twenty-Eight – Twenty-Nine, Appendix, Glossary, Index
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The Space Handbook, first published in 1958, was designed to serve as a basic guide on the uses and characteristics of space systems, including astronautics and its applications, technology in the space environment, rocket vehicles, propulsion systems, propellants, internal power sources, structures and materials, flight path and orientation control, guidance, communication, observation and tracking, and atmospheric flight. Written at the request of the Hon. John W. McCormack, chairman of the House Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration, it was produced in only three weeks using RAND’s own funds in the public interest. Now, fifty years after its initial publication, and to celebrate RAND’s 60th Anniversary, RAND is proud to bring this classic work back into print in paperback and digital formats.
Table of Contents
Part 1
Introduction
Chapter One
Introduction
Part 2
Technology
Chapter Two
Space Environment
Chapter Three
Trajectories and Orbits
Chapter Four
Rocket Vehicles
Chapter Five
Propulsion Systems
Chapter Six
Propellants
Chapter Seven
Internal Power Sources
Chapter Eight
Structures and Materials
Chapter Nine
Flight Path and Orientation Control
Chapter Ten
Guidance
Chapter Eleven
Communication
Chapter Twelve
Observation and Tracking
Chapter Thirteen
Atmospheric Flight
Chapter Fourteen
Landing and Recovery
Chapter Fifteen
Environment of Manned Systems
Chapter Sixteen
Space Stations and Extraterrestrial Bases
Chapter Seventeen
Nuclear Weapon Effects in Space
Chapter Eighteen
Cost Factors and Ground Facilities
Chapter Nineteen
Current Programs
Part 3
Applications
Chapter Twenty
Specific Flight Possibilities
Chapter Twenty-One
Observation Satellites
Chapter Twenty-Two
Meteorological Satellites
Chapter Twenty-Three
Navigation Satellites
Chapter Twenty-Four
Satellites as Communication Relays
Chapter Twenty-Five
Balloon Satellites
Chapter Twenty-Six
Bombing from Satellites
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Scientific Space Exploration
Part 4
Astronautics in Other Countries
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Astronautics in the U.S.S.R.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Astronautics in Other Countries
This report is part of the RAND Corporation Commercial book series. Periodically, RAND Corporation researchers publish with commercial presses. These books are not available from RAND but can be requested directly from the publisher, except in cases where the rights have reverted to RAND and we have republished a new edition.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.