Do Your Ears Pop in Space and 500 Other Surprising Questions about Space Travel
by admin on Jul.10, 2010, under Travel
 Ladies and gentlemen, start your spaceships!
Personal space travel is no longer the stuff of science fiction. The future is here: Civilians are launching into orbit. As early as 2010 paying customers will have the opportunity to experience weightlessness, courtesy of Virgin Galactic’s inaugural launch. How to Build Your Own Spaceship takes readers on a fun and quirky trip to the forefront of commercial space travel-the latest technology, the major business players, and the personal and financial benefits that are ripe for the picking. Science-writer Piers Bizony’s breadth of knowledge, quick wit, and no-nonsense explanations of the hard science in this emerging arena will satisfy even the most dedicated space fanatics. With practical advice (from picking the best jet fuel to funding your own fleet of space crafts), unbelievable space facts, and fascinating photos, Bizony’s user-friendly guide to blasting off is a must-have ticket to the final frontier. “[A] fascinating tale of a man forced . . . to live between incompatible worlds. Highly recommended.” –Library Journal Al-Hasan al-WazzanâÂ�Â�born in Granada to a Muslim family that in 1492 went to MoroccoâÂ�Â�became famous as the great Renaissance writer Leo Africanus, author of the first geography of Africa to be published in Europe (in 1550). He had been captured by Christian pirates in the Mediterranean and imprisoned by the pope; when he was released and baptized, he lived a European life of scholarship as the Christian writer Giovanni Leone; by 1527, it is likely that he returned to North Africa and to the language, culture, and faith in which he had been raised. Natalie Zemon Davis offers a virtuoso study of the fragmentary, partial, and often contradictory traces that al-Hasan al-Wazzan left behind him, and a superb interpretation of his extraordinary life and work.
Get the inside story on outer space from three-time shuttle astronaut R. Mike Mullane. “A fascinating collection of honest, factual, from-the-heart answers to the most often asked questions about spaceflight and spacefliers. Required reading for all who aspire to travel in space.” âÂ�Â�Kathy Thornton, 4-mission Shuttle Astronaut, World Record Holder for Spacewalks by a Woman. “A brilliant addition to the understanding of space flight. Only a man who has been thereâÂ�Â�outer spaceâÂ�Â�and done thatâÂ�Â�fly the Space ShuttleâÂ�Â�could render the complexities of flying in space so lucidly.” âÂ�Â�Walter J. Boyne, Colonel, USAF (Ret.), Former Director, National Air and Space Museum. “A highly informative inside view of what astronauts really experience in space.” âÂ�Â�Ed Buckbee, Former Director, U.S. Space & Rocket and U.S. Space Camp. “All astronauts have been peppered with great questions. Mike Mullane has great answers.” âÂ�Â�Vice Admiral Richard H. Truly, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Columbia 1981, Challenger 1983, NASA Administrator 1989-1992. |
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A little outdated, but nice on Kindle, 2010-06-28 By Marcelo G Silva (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) This is a very light and interesting read. The Q&A format makes it a very easy reading, especially for younger space fans. All aspects of space (shuttle) flight are covered. My only issue is that it needs an updated edition. This is a 1995 book, and references about the “future” international space station sounds dated. Also some of the statistics could be brought up to date.
The Kindle edition is well formatted, no problems here, and graphics ans pictures are preserved. Overall a 4 star reading for space enthusiasts. Absolutely delightful reading!, 2005-11-26 By Book Owl (Reykjavik, Iceland) Highly informative. A few aspects need to be updated, though. I’d buy a second edition without any hesitation. A MUST READ!, 2004-07-02 By () I bought this book at the Kennedy Space Center Space Store and at first thought the cover and title looked sort of juvenile. However, once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down! Mullane answers so many questions I didn’t even think to ask and answered questions I had in my mind while touring NASA. This book enriched my NASA experience and I feel so much more knowledgeable about what astronauts experience. His writing style is as lighthearted and accessible as it is thorough. From explaining how astronauts have to work the toilet system on shuttles to how they are chosen to be an astronauts to facts about the Challenger tragedy, the simple question/answer format makes it fast reading and easy to go back and peruse. Published in 1997, I wish Mullane would update it and add more, but this is such a good introduction to the whole shuttle experience, I won’t complain. In fact, this book has given me a better understanding of the current spacewalks on the space station and the Cassini spacecraft that just reached Saturn’s orbit. I can easily see how this book could be very inspirational for a wanna-be or don’t-yet-know-they-wanna-be astronaut, as well. It’s always more fun hearing about space from an astronaut who’s been there and especially one who includes a picture of himself in a “urine collection device.” I guarantee you’ll be glad for reading this one. Informative and addictive!, 2002-07-30 By Mario G. Perez Fonseca (Guitarland) Three times Space Shuttle Astronaut R. Mike Mullane answers 500 questions regarding space traveling and life onboard the Space Shuttle. From the technical ones [Shuttle weight or the gravity escape velocity] to very simple questions [Do yor ears pop in space? or Have you seen any ufo's?] this book is a delight for anyone interested in knowing more about the current state of space exploration and shuttle manned missions. The format of the book is quite simple: A question in bold lettering followed by a simple, yet intelligent and informative answer. Topics covered range from Take off, reentering the atmosphere, life onboard the ship to some tips for becoming an astronaut. Some black and white pictures and illustrations make the book a little more atractive. The author also provides the reader with many email addresses throughout the book in order to contact him or other astronauts or space program workers. Once you star reading this book, you won’t be able to put it down! A must for space enthusiasts, and if you want to know the answer to the title question, you’ll have to get the book… Prep book for space exploration, 2000-11-25 By Michael Pinto (NYC, USA) This book is easy to read and is a must for any fan of space travel. The book format uses one line questions followed up with an answer of a paragraph or two. The great thing is that the questions cover EVERY aspect of life in outer space that you can imagine – sleeping, hygene, eating, going to the bathroom, bleeding, clothing and back pain! There is also a great chapter which gives tips on what it takes to get into the space program. Once I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down! |
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