Am. Inst. of Aero. & Astro.

Advanced propulsion systems and technologies, today to 2020.

Editors Bruno (aerospace engineering, U. of Rome) and Accettura (business operations manager, Arianespace) and their roughly 20 co- contributors detail the state of propulsion technologies as they are expected to be by 2020. Commissioned by the European Space Agency, the book proceeds through the concept, associated technologies, and development status of each technology — with market and feasibility discussions when appropriate. The chapters are organized in a logical fashion and discuss existing work done on liquid rocket engines and then delve into future technologies and systems, such as superconductivity applied to electric propulsion, ion engines, solar sails, laser propulsion, and nuclear propulsion. Numerous graphs and illustrations support the text. The book will interest any professionals affiliated with the field of propulsion. While it contains a considerable amount of technical information and discussion, the text is clearly-written enough to interest general audience readers with an interest in aerospace technology. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Road to Mach 10; lessons learned from the X-43A flight research program. (CD-ROM included)

Peebles, a NASA contractor, documents the history of the X-43 project, which involved extensive testing of the first scramjet engine that was capable of speeds of up to Mach 10. The author details both the failures of the project, which included the destruction of the first vehicle, and how the X-43 eventually succeeded and created the foundation for nearly 50 years of scramjet engine technology. The author aims this history primarily at engineering students, but aviation enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy here as well. A CD-ROM is included that provides a visual history of the project. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)