Spacecraft that Explored the Inner Planets Venus and Mercury / by Thomas Lund.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lund, T. (Thomas), author.

Series:

Astronautical Engineering, 2365-9602

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Physics.

Astronomy.

Outer space--Exploration.

Outer space.

Astronautics.

Planetary science.

Vehicles.

Aerospace engineering.

Physics and Astronomy.

Space Exploration and Astronautics.

Planetary Science.

Vehicle Engineering.

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics.

Local Subjects:

Physics and Astronomy.

Space Exploration and Astronautics.

Planetary Science.

Vehicle Engineering.

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (366 pages)

Edition:

1st ed. 2023.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2023.

Summary:

A series of increasingly capable spacecraft were sent to explore the inner planets Venus and Mercury. The history of that planetary exploration is traced in this book along with the evolution of sophisticated spacecraft that unveiled long-sought secrets of the planets. The spacecraft were ingenious and reflected the best efforts of talented people working with the available technology of the day. Additionally, this book showcases engineering involved in those capable machines. A consecutive series of 34 planetary spacecraft, which span the time period 1961 to 2021, are described. This includes the unsuccessful missions of several early spacecraft that paved the way for a better understanding of Venus’ hostile environments. This book will describe many successful spacecraft sent to Venus by the Soviet Union and many successful spacecraft sent to Venus and to Mercury by the United States. The recent exploration of Venus by the European Space Agency’s Venus Express and the Japanese spacecraft Akatsuki can also be found in this book. The author draws on over 50 years of experience on aircraft and spacecraft systems to tell the story of these planetary spacecraft. The spacecraft experience includes being the technical lead for the landing radars on the Surveyor and Apollo lunar landers as well as providing analyses for the rendezvous radar for the Space Shuttle. Practical engineering experience is augmented by Master’s degrees in electrical engineering, physics, and business administration.

Contents:

Chapter1. The Planets of the Sun

Chapter2. Launch Vehicles for Planetary Spacecraft

Chapter3. Soviet Union Spacecraft that Explored Venus 1960–1961

Chapter4. U.S. Spacecraft that Explored Venus 1960–1980

Chapter5. Soviet Union Spacecraft that Explored Venus 1980–1990

Chapter6. U.S. Magellan Spacecraft that Explored Venus 1980–2020

Chapter7. U.S. Spacecraft that Explored Mercury: Mariner 10 and Messenger

Chapter8. Japanese and European Space Agency Spacecraft that Explored Venus 2005–2020 Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Print version: Lund, Thomas Spacecraft That Explored the Inner Planets Venus and Mercury

ISBN:

3-031-29838-1