Overview

The Space Shuttle has been the dominant machine in the U.S. space program for thirty years and has generated a great deal of interest among space enthusiasts and engineers. This book enables readers to understand its technical systems in greater depth than they have been able to do so before. The author describes the structures and systems of the Space Shuttle, and then follows a typical mission, explaining how the structures and systems were used in the launch, orbital operations and the return to Earth. Details of how anomalous events were dealt with on individual missions are also provided, as are the recollections of those who built and flew the Shuttle. Many photographs and technical drawings illustrate how the Space Shuttle functions, avoiding the use of complicated technical jargon. The book is divided into two sections: Part 1 describes each subsystem in a technical style, supported by diagrams, technical drawings, and photographs to enable a better understanding of the concepts. Part 2 examines different flight phases, from liftoff to landing. Technical material has been obtained from NASA as well as from other forums and specialists. Author Davide Sivolella is an aerospace engineer with a life-long interest in space and is ideally qualified to interpret technical manuals for a wider audience. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the topic including the evolution of given subsystems, reviewing the different configurations, and focusing on the solutions implemented.

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9781461409823

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Reviews

From the reviews: This book focuses on the space shuttle and its technology, including the shuttle's design, engineering, integration, and operations. ... This comprehensive volume provides a good overview of the accomplishments of the engineers who designed the shuttle and its operational protocols. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers interested in space science and technology. (A. M. Strauss, Choice, Vol. 51 (7), March, 2014) Davide Sivolella's book To Orbit and Back Again ... becomes apparent just how complex the shuttle was, and how remarkable it was that it flew as successfully as it did for three decades. ... There is, as promised, considerable technical information about the shuttle's systems, far more than the general reader might expect, or want. ... someone seeking to go beyond the basics of the engineering of the shuttle. ... this book provides a good reminder of what made those launches possible. (Jeff Foust, TheSpaceReview.com, November, 2013)

From the reviews: This book focuses on the space shuttle and its technology, including the shuttle's design, engineering, integration, and operations. ... This comprehensive volume provides a good overview of the accomplishments of the engineers who designed the shuttle and its operational protocols. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers interested in space science and technology. (A. M. Strauss, Choice, Vol. 51 (7), March, 2014) Davide Sivolella's book To Orbit and Back Again ... becomes apparent just how complex the shuttle was, and how remarkable it was that it flew as successfully as it did for three decades. ... There is, as promised, considerable technical information about the shuttle's systems, far more than the general reader might expect, or want. ... someone seeking to go beyond the basics of the engineering of the shuttle. ... this book provides a good reminder of what made those launches possible. (Jeff Foust, TheSpaceReview.com, November, 2013)

From the reviews: Davide Sivolella's book To Orbit and Back Again ... becomes apparent just how complex the shuttle was, and how remarkable it was that it flew as successfully as it did for three decades. ... There is, as promised, considerable technical information about the shuttle's systems, far more than the general reader might expect, or want. ... someone seeking to go beyond the basics of the engineering of the shuttle. ... this book provides a good reminder of what made those launches possible. (Jeff Foust, TheSpaceReview.com, November, 2013)

Author Information

Davide Sivolella has a Bachelor and Master degree in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Torino (Italy). He presently works for the European airline Ryanair, where he provides engineering support for heavy maintenance of the airplanes fleet, with a particular focus on any repair needed on the aircraft structure.

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