Manned Spacecraft : Engineering Design and Operation

New York:: Fairchild Publications, Inc., 1964. 8.5" wide by 11" tall. A solid reading/reference copy -- square and tight. Inner hinges are perfect. WITHDRAWN stamp, and a few other library markings. NO pocket. Text pages are clean and crisp. NO underlining. NO highlighting. NO margin notes. Illustrated with figures, diagrams, and photographs of rocket engines, prototype space suits, capsules, equipment, etc. Tables. Graphs. Bibliographical references. Index. Among 47 chapters are: A chronological history [Russian and American, through Sputnik, Vostok, and Project Mercury]; Design concept; Aerodynamics and stability; Aerodynamic heating; Meteoroid environment; Structural loads; Structural materials; Thermal balance and heat protection; Space radiation; Physiology of man in space; Weightlessness; Life-support systems; On-board propulsion; Landing and recovery; Project Gemini design; Apollo lunar excursion; etc. Subtitle: "Based on a series of lectures delivered at: NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Louisiana State University, University of Houston, William Marsh Rice University." Bound in the original red cloth, lettered in gold over blue panels on the spine and front cover. From the preface: "The basic plan of this book is to present, in a coordinated fashion, the major elements of the technology of manned spacecraft design and operation. Early chapters are devoted to basic concepts and overall design of manned space-craft systems. Detailed attention is then given to the various systems and subsystems that make up the total spacecraft…[The] problems of design integration and system reliability are considered. The final portion of the book is concerned with such operational aspects of manned spacecraft as mission planning, ground systems, and flight control. The last chapter is a summary of the overall management and philosophies that have evolved during the early years of the United States manned space fight program.". First Edition.. Oversize Hardcover (heavy).. Very Good EX-LIBRARY.. xxvi, 497pp..