The Facts On File Dictionary Of Space Technology

Lists and defines more than 1,500 space research and technological terms, with extensive cross-references and a list of acronyms.

An alphabetical dictionary containing over 1,500 entries on topics dealing with space, space flight, and space technology.

Originally published in 1981, the completely revised and updated second edition of the Dictionary of Space Technology illustrates the advances of the last 20 years and makes accessible nearly every word, concept, and event relating to this branch of science. It guides lay persons and professionals alike through humankind's activities in space, the beginnings of our extraterrestrial society, and the increasingly important role of space sciences in everyday life. Defines more than 1,500 terms, including: science basics; historic events; defence and armed forces terminology; and planetary sciences. Enhanced by more than 175 photographs and drawings, this Dictionary covers the past, the present and the future of space, space flight, and space technology.

The Facts On File Guide to Research is a comprehensive guide to doing thorough and accurate research. It includes a detailed listing of available resources and explains general research methods and proper citation of sources. An invaluable reference, this book helps researchers make use of the many new resources available today. Divided into four sections, this easy-to-use guide helps students and general readers prepare for research papers and class studies. Step-by-step guides, detailed explanations, and valuable appendixes covering style guides, such as APA. MLA, and The Chicago Manual of Style, combine to create an incredibly authoritative accessible reference.

2009 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice The launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 ushered in an exciting era of scientific and technological advancement. As television news anchors, radio hosts, and journalists reported the happenings of the American and the Soviet space programs to millions of captivated citizens, words that belonged to the worlds of science, aviation, and science fiction suddenly became part of the colloquial language. What’s more, NASA used a litany of acronyms in much of its official correspondence in an effort to transmit as much information in as little time as possible. To translate this peculiar vocabulary, Paul Dickson has compiled the curious lingo and mystifying acronyms of NASA in an accessible dictionary of the names, words, and phrases of the Space Age. Aviators, fighter pilots, and test pilots coined the phrases “spam in a can” (how astronauts felt prelaunch as they sat in a tiny capsule atop a rocket booster); “tickety-boo” (things are fine), and “the Eagle has landed” (Neil Armstrong’s famous quote when Apollo 11 landed on the Moon). This dictionary captures a broader foundation for language of the Space Age based on the historic principles employed by the Oxford English Dictionary and Webster’s New Third International Dictionary. Word histories for major terms are detailed in a conversational tone, and technical terms are deciphered for the interested student and lay reader. This is a must-own reference for space history buffs.

Contains a referential glossary of astronomy-related terms, biographies of important astronomers and astronauts, and a chronology of notable events contributing to the science.