Overview
- First book bringing together the Soviet Union and Russia's exploration of the planets
- Provides a balance of history, engineering and scientific discovery and the politics of programme development
- Tells of how Soviet techniques for planetary exploration were used and matched by other countries subsequently
Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books (PRAXIS)
Part of the book sub series: Space Exploration (SPACEE)
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Table of contents (9 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
Russia’s accomplishments in planetary space exploration were not achieved easily. Formerly, the USSR experienced frustration in trying to tame unreliable Molniya and Proton upper stages and in tracking spacecraft over long distances. This book will assess the scientific haul of data from the Venus and Mars missions and look at the engineering approaches. The USSR developed several generations of planetary probes: from MV and Zond to the Phobos type. The engineering techniques used and the science packages are examined, as well as the nature of the difficulties encountered which ruined several missions. The programme’s scientific and engineering legacy is also addressed, as well as its role within the Soviet space programme as a whole.
Brian Harvey concludes by looking forward to future Russian planetary exploration (e.g Phobos Grunt sample return mission). Several plans have been considered and may, with a restoration of funding, come to fruition. Soviet studies of deep space and Mars missions (e.g. TMK, Aelita) have much to offer contemporary planners in Europe and the United States. Long-duration ISS and Mir missions provide a medical record of considerable value in constructing human exploration of Mars.
Illustrated with the photographs taken by Soviet Venus and Mars probes, pictures of the spacecraft, diagrams of the flight paths and landing techniques and maps of the landing sites, the book will build on the published scientific papers from the programme, archived material and memoirs and other material coming to light in recent years.
Reviews
From the reviews:
"Brian Harvey … has produced an excellent work in this latest volume. … Russian Planetary Exploration: History, Development, Legacy and Prospects, an equally good account of Soviet/Russian planetary exploration. … Anyone with an interest in the history of Soviet/Russian space activities would find … illuminating and rewarding." (Liftoff, Issue 239, 2007)
Authors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Russian Planetary Exploration
Book Subtitle: History, Development, Legacy and Prospects
Authors: Brian Harvey
Series Title: Springer Praxis Books
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49664-1
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag New York 2007
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-387-46343-8Published: 24 January 2007
eBook ISBN: 978-0-387-49664-1Published: 05 July 2007
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXII, 354
Additional Information: Jointly published with Praxis Publishing, UK
Topics: Astronomy, Observations and Techniques, Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics)