This book offers essential information on China’s human spacecraft technologies, reviewing their evolution from theoretical and engineering perspectives. It discusses topics such as the design of manned spaceships, cargo spacecraft, space laboratories, space stations and manned lunar and Mars detection spacecraft. It also addresses various key technologies, e.g. for manned rendezvous, docking and reentry. The book is chiefly intended for researchers, graduate students and professionals in the fields of aerospace engineering, control, electronics & electrical engineering, and related areas.

Manned Spacecraft Design Principles presents readers with a brief, to-the-point primer that includes a detailed introduction to the information required at the preliminary design stage of a manned space transportation system. In the process of developing the preliminary design, the book covers content not often discussed in a standard aerospace curriculum, including atmospheric entry dynamics, space launch dynamics, hypersonic flow fields, hypersonic heat transfer, and skin friction, along with the economic aspects of space flight. Key concepts relating to human factors and crew support systems are also included, providing users with a comprehensive guide on how to make informed choices from an array of competing options. The text can be used in conjunction with Pasquale Sforza's, Commercial Aircraft Design Principles to form a complete course in Aircraft/Spacecraft Design. Presents a brief, to-the-point primer that includes a detailed introduction to the information required at the preliminary design stage of a manned space transportation system Involves the reader in the preliminary design of a modern manned spacecraft and associated launch vehicle Includes key concepts relating to human factors and crew support systems Contains standard, empirical, and classical methods in support of the design process Culminates in the preparation of a professional quality design report

Few technological advances have affected the lives and dreams of individuals and the operations of companies and governments as much as the continuing development of flight. From space exploration to package transport, from military transport to passenger helicopter use, from passenger jumbo jets to tilt-rotor commuter planes, the future of flying is still rapidly developing. The essays in this volume survey the state of progress along several fronts of this constantly evolving frontier. Five eminent authorities assess prospects for the future of rotary-wing aircraft, large passenger aircraft, commercial aviation, manned spaceflight, and defense aerospace in the post-Cold War era.

At the present time, space travel is characterized by separately developed technologies of the space-traveling nations. Depending on fixed financial budgets and expensive technology companies, the developed spaceships are strongly designed just for a specific mission profile in order to reduce costs and risks as far as possible. Because of their less sustainable supply concept, these spacecraft allow only a limited mission duration and require regular supply deliveries in addition. On the other hand side, mission periods continue to lengthen with the planned exploration of Mars, asteroids or other objects that are even more distant. These missions will require high sustainable supply concepts in order to enable autonomous and long-term life support of human mission participants. The now existing solutions do not yet meet these requirements, so the current approach of spacecraft design had to undergo a conceptual review. The research made in the context of this work led to the design of a new generation of spacecraft, which supports with its optimized hull construction such extended long-term missions in terms of durability, variability and life support. All its embedded biological and chemical processes have, on the one hand, the primary aim to enable humans a long stay in space and, on the other hand, to be independent of an external mission supply. The performed research activities also included the necessary mechanical and energetical functions for which an extreme lifetime extension of up to 60 years was aimed.

This book reviews the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) small spacecraft technology development. Included are assessments of NASA's technology priorities for relevance to small spacecraft and identification of technology gaps and overlaps. The volume also examines the small spacecraft technology programs of other government agencies and assesses technology efforts in industry.