A complete history of human endeavors in space, this book also moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic issues, and also commercial, civilian, and military applications.

Born of unquenchable curiosity, fueled by astounding technology, the exploration of space is one of humankind’s definitive achievements. As history, it offers real-life drama no fiction can match—a multigenerational global saga filled with vivid and eccentric personalities, high stakes politics, bold scientific leaps, and legend-in-the-making tales of courage, heartbreak, failure, and triumph.

In two expertly written volumes, Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia covers all aspects of space flight in all participating nations, ranging from the Cold War–era beginnings of the space race to the lunar landings and the Apollo-Soyuz mission; from the Shuttle disasters and the Hubble telescope to Galileo, the Mars Rover, and the International Space Station. The book moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic issues, and also commercial, civilian, and military applications.

Produced in conjunction with the History Committee of the American Astronautical Society, this work divides its coverage into six sections, each beginning with an overview essay, followed by an alphabetically organized series of entries on topics such as astrophysics and planetary science; civilian and commercial space applications; human spaceflight and microgravity science; space and society; and space technology and engineering. Whether investigating a specific issue or event or tracing an overarching historic trend, students and general readers will find this an invaluable resource for launching their study of one of humanity’s most extraordinary endeavors.

Title Features

• 580 articles describing various aspects of manned and unmanned space exploration, including a full range of social, technological, and political issues, such as government policy, nationalism, and the technology/military-driven economy

• Six overview essays, introducing each of the encyclopedia’s major sections and putting that aspect of space exploration into historical context

• 136 contributors, many who are leading space historians and experts affiliated with the American Astronautical Society, make firsthand knowledge and fresh insights accessible to all audiences

• Numerous photos, including stunning shots from space, star charts, technical drawings, and more

• Short bibliographies conclude each entry, pointing readers to the best sources to find out more about the topic

• A Glossary defining the various technical terms encountered in the encyclopedia

Highlights

• Sets a new standard for covering a topic of high interest for secondary and undergraduate students and the general public alike

• Authorship includes most of the leading historians of space and technology, thus giving it an authoritativeness that is unmatched

• More comprehensive than any other title on the market, exploring the entirety of human interaction with space, including U.S., Russian, Chinese, and European space programs

• Ties the scientific achievements of the world’s space programs to the changing social environments of the 1960s–1990s

The first entry covers the history of the PLA from its establishment in the mid-1940s, its changing organization, structures, and subdivisions (e.g. army, navy, and air forces) in a general overview, including an introduction to major leaders and historical roles played by the PLA. The entry covers the military command structures, organization, the military/strategic aspects of the political-military interface, training, ranks, operational practice, main weapon systems, specialist units, intelligence systems, equipment, engagement in main conflicts from the Civil War until the present, involvement with UN peacekeeping, and links to foreign military establishments.

The second entry focuses on the main lines of command (and changes therein over time), with flowcharts and accompanying explanations. The entry highlights principal structural differences/similarities with other large military command structures in the world and extrapolates the potential impact thereof on deployment of troops in conflict situations.

The third entry details military regions and sub-regions, with explanations of changes therein during the history of the PLA.

The fourth entry addresses the economic functions of the military in the civilian economy, including the establishment of non-armaments industries, state farms and services from the 1950s, and the specific issues arising from these during the reform period, as well as the transfer of PLA’s economic interests to civilian management in the 1980s-90s.