NASA-SP-2009-4802. NASA History Series. Edited by Steven J. Dick and Mark L. Lupisella. Authors with diverse backgrounds in science, history, anthropology, and more, consider culture in the context of the cosmos. How does our knowledge of cosmic evolution affect terrestrial culture? Conversely, how does our knowledge of cultural evolution affect our thinking about possible cultures in the cosmos? Are life, mind, and culture of fundamental significance to the grand story of the cosmos that has generated its own self-understanding through science, rational reasoning, and mathematics? Book includes bibliographical references and an index.

This fully revised edition of The Concorde Story, is a complete history of Concorde, seen through the eyes of former Concorde pilot Christopher Orlebar. This new edition includes the after-story of the aircraft, including a list of where surviving Concorde Aircraft can be viewed around the world. Drawing on his own experience, the author reveals what it was like to be a Concorde pilot, and gives us a unique pilot's-eye-view of a typical transatlantic flight, including details of the training involved and life on the flight deck. It is from the privileged perspective of an insider that Christopher Orlebar describes Concorde's 'Grand Finale' and final flight to Filton, reflecting on the history and achievement of Concorde and those who worked on her.

This book is one of three inter-connected books related to a four-year European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action established in 2015. The Action, called Air Transport and Regional Development (ATARD), aimed to promote a better understanding of how the air transport related problems of core regions and remote regions should be addressed in order to enhance both economic competitiveness and social cohesion in Europe. This book focuses on case studies in Europe related to air transport and regional development. It is divided into four geographical regions after a general chapter that compares regional air transport connectivity between remote and central areas in Europe. The first region is Northern and Western Northern Europe (case studies related specifically to Norway, Finland, the United Kingdom, and Ireland); the second is Central and Eastern Europe, (Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Poland); the third is Central Western Europe (Belgium and Switzerland); and finally, the fourth is Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, and Italy). There is no other single source publication that currently covers this topic area in such a comprehensive manner by considering so many countries. The book aims at becoming a major reference on the topic, drawing from experienced researchers in the field, covering the diverse experience and knowledge of the members of the COST Action. The book will appeal to academics, practitioners, and policymakers who have a particular interest in acquiring detailed comparative knowledge and understanding of air transport and regional development in many different European countries. Together with the other two books (Air Transport and Regional Development Methodologies and Air Transport and Regional Development Policies), it fills a much-needed gap in the literature.

Topology Optimization in Engineering Structure Design explores the recent advances and applications of topology optimization in engineering structures design, with a particular focus on aircraft and aerospace structural systems. To meet the increasingly complex engineering challenges provided by rapid developments in these industries, structural optimization techniques have developed in conjunction with them over the past two decades. The latest methods and theories to improve mechanical performances and save structural weight under static, dynamic and thermal loads are summarized and explained in detail here, in addition to potential applications of topology optimization techniques such as shape preserving design, smart structure design and additive manufacturing. These new design strategies are illustrated by a host of worked examples, which are inspired by real engineering situations, some of which have been applied to practical structure design with significant effects. Written from a forward-looking applied engineering perspective, the authors not only summarize the latest developments in this field of structure design but also provide both theoretical knowledge and a practical guideline. This book should appeal to graduate students, researchers and engineers, in detailing how to use topology optimization methods to improve product design.

Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) captured the hearts of America after becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in 1928. Nine years later, her disappearance on an around-the-world flight brought her extraordinary life to an abrupt and mysterious end.Based on a decade of archival research through Earhart's letters, journals, and diaries, and drawing on interviews with the aviator's friends and relatives, East to the Dawn provides the most authoritative and richly textured account of both Earhart's record-setting aviation career and her personal life: her early years with her grandparents, her experiences as a nurse and social worker, her famous marriage to publisher George Putnam, and her secret affair with Gene Vidal, head of the Bureau of Air Commerce. As the Los Angeles Times raved, East to the Dawn is a "fully realized portrait of a truly remarkable woman."

UAVs-unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely piloted aircraft; the labels vary-are a disruptive technology on par with computers and smartphones. Present since soon after the dawn of manned aviation, they have become controversial only in recent times. In the United States, the mainstream media has painted them with a broad brush as "drones" with a warlike past, and civil liberties organizations warn of their impact on individual privacy rights. But a promising new industry beckons-UAVs can be useful for farming, filmmaking, law enforcement and sundry other missions. Entrepreneurs and aerospace manufacturers alike want them freed to fly for commercial purposes, and the US Congress has answered with a mandate to make that happen. Caught in the middle is the staid, bureaucratic Federal Aviation Administration, whose sacred mission is to protect the safety of America's skies. Enter the Drones cuts through the hyperbole over UAVs to explain the considerable challenges the FAA faces.

The RAF's huge delta-wing Vulcan jet nuclear bomber is an enduring image of the Cold War era. One of the cornerstones of Britain's nuclear deterrent, in later years it was adapted for conventional bombing and saw active service in the Falklands War. Avro Vulcan XH558 was the first Vulcan B2 to enter service with the RAF in July 1960, and the last to fly (with the RAF Vulcan Display Flight in 1992). Since then, determined and extensively publicised efforts have been made to return XH558 to the air, recently boosted by financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is hoped that the Vulcan will return to the sky in early 2006, and commence airshow appearances. In this full-colour tribute to the Avro Vulcan, aviation journalist and author Peter R. March discusses its development and provides a detailed history of XH558 and the efforts to get it airworthy once more. In some ways when the restored Vulcan XH558 takes to the skies again in 2006, it will fill the gap left by the grounding of the last Concorde.

This new book is the third of a multi-volume series covering the complete history of Germany's legendary World War II jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262. Featured here are the Me 262 "A" series types from the A-1a jabo through the A-5 and including bomber, recon, night-fighter and other variants. Forthcoming volumes in the series will cover additional production types and unusual design versions.

Drones and Journalism explores the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, by the global media for researching and newsgathering purposes. Phil Chamberlain examines the technological development and capabilities of contemporary drone hardware and the future of drone journalism. He also considers the complex place of the media's drone use in relation to international laws, as well as the ethical challenges and issues raised by the practice. Chapters cover topics including the use of drones in investigative reporting, in reporting of humanitarian crises, and the use of this new technology in more mainstream media, like film and TV. The book also presents exclusive interviews with drone experts and practitioners and draws on a wide range of disciplines to put the practice into a historical, political and social context. Professionals and students of Journalism and Media Studies will find this an important critical contribution to these fields, as Phil Chamberlain astutely charts the rise of the reliance on drones by the media worldwide.

Cobra! is a comprehensive, meticulously researched and fully documented history of Bell Aircraft Corporation and their piston engine fighters built during the Great Depression and through World War II. While the story centers on techincal aspects of the various fighters, significant attention is also devoted to those key individuals who conceived, built and flew these innovative designs. In addition to aircraft development, Cobra! surveys the combat use of the P-39 and P-63 fighters in the hands of American, French, Italian, and Soviet pilots. The story continues after World War II when a number of Bell surplus fighters were successfully modified for air racing. Birch Matthews is also the author of Wet Wings & Drop Tanks: Recollection of American Transcontinental Air Racing 1928-1970, and Mustang: The Racing Thoroughbred(with Dustin W. Carter). Both books are available from Schiffer Publishing Ltd.).

"An engaging look into presidential behavior aboard them." --Booklist

From Franklin Roosevelt's prop-driven Pan Am to the glimmering blue-and-white jumbo 747 on which George W. Bush travels, the president's plane has captured the public's awe and imagination and is recognized around the world as a symbol of American power. It has emerged as a force in popular culture, appearing in television shows and movies, and is seen regularly on the news as the president gives his famous wave from the top of the stairs. Air Force One is associated with iconic images, such as the instantly recognizable photograph of Lyndon Johnson's swearing-in following John F. Kennedy's assassination. It has transported presidents on historic trips, such as Richard Nixon's pathbreaking China visit and Ronald Reagan's superpower summit meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev. And the plane itself has been the site of significant moments in our nation's history: For example, it hopscotched George W. Bush from one secure location to another in the harrowing hours after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In addition to making history and serving as an international symbol, Air Force One has evolved into a very special habitat, created by each commander in chief, that functions as an invaluable window on the presidents themselves. Aboard his plane, a president has control over his surroundings without the intrusions, routines, and protocols of the West Wing. As a result, he tends to let his guard down and expose his true nature. Johnson would abuse his staff, for example, whereas Bill Clinton would goof around with them and Nixon would just keep his distance. In this unique history book, the first of its kind, Kenneth T. Walsh, the chief White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, looks at the personality traits and peccadilloes that our last twelve presidents revealed on the plane, and the way they each established a distinctive mood aboard that was a reflection of themselves and their times.

Based on interviews with five living presidents, scores of past and present government officials, and staff and crew members of Air Force One, Walsh's book features countless fascinating -- and often outrageous-stories of life aboard the "flying White House." In addition to such entertaining anecdotes, the book is filled with never -- before-heard revelations, as well as interesting descriptions of the food, the décor, the bedrooms, the medical clinic, and much more -- not to mention extraordinary photos of the presidents and the planes. In short, readers will find here everything they ever wanted to know about Air Force One -- and a behind-the-scenes look at sixty years of American history.

At the height of the Watergate scandal, Delta Flight 723 crashed into a fog-shrouded seawall at the end of Runway 4R at Logan Airport in Boston. While this incident and Watergate seemed unrelated at first, President Richard Nixon and his subordinate's actions during Watergate interfered with the ability of the National Transportation Safety Board to properly investigate the crash. It wasn't until three court cases, a federal investigation, congressional hearings, as well as a state investigation, when the true cause of the accident was exposed ten years later. This is also the story of Air Force Sergeant Leopold Chouinard and his incredible fight for survival. Chouinard survived the initial impact of the crash, only to suffer third and fourth degree burns on the majority of his body. Doctors fought against incredible odds to try and save Chouinard's life. For 134 days, Leo Chouinard defied all expectations as his doctors and nurses applied the latest advancements in burn treatments to save him from a non-survivable accident. They nearly succeeded. Through interviews with Chouinard's family, his physicians, and the NTSB's investigation, comes a story of corruption, determination, and vindication as well as the answer to what really caused that crash at Logan airport.

Since his boyhood days watching test pilots roar through the sky over his Long Island, NY, home, Robert Bryan was fascinated with flight. Add to that his love of a good story and his vocation as an Episcopal priest and you have the three great themes of his life. After his graduation from Yale Divinity School-where he met Marshall Dodge and the two created the immensely popular storytelling duo "Bert and I"-Bryan became a minister to the remote settlements of Quebec's North Shore. In the mid-20th century, the best way to reach parishioners was by bush plane, so Robert rose to the task. He went on to spend 50 years as a bush pilot and minister, logging more than 12,000 hours at the controls. This endearing memoir traces his life and adventures during that time and weaves in his experiences performing and recording with Dodge.

In 1945 Britain was the world's leading designer and builder of aircraft - a world-class achievement that was not mere rhetoric. And what aircraft they were. The sleek Comet, the first jet airliner. The awesome delta-winged Vulcan, an intercontinental bomber that could be thrown about the sky like a fighter. The Hawker Hunter, the most beautiful fighter-jet ever built and the Lightning, which could zoom ten miles above the clouds in a couple of minutes and whose pilots rated flying it as better than sex. How did Britain so lose the plot that today there is not a single aircraft manufacturer of any significance in the country? What became of the great industry of de Havilland or Handley Page? And what was it like to be alive in that marvellous post-war moment when innovative new British aircraft made their debut, and pilots were the rock stars of the age? James Hamilton-Paterson captures that season of glory in a compelling book that fuses his own memories of being a schoolboy plane spotter with a ruefully realistic history of British decline - its loss of self confidence and power. It is the story of great and charismatic machines and the men who flew them: heroes such as Bill Waterton, Neville Duke, John Derry and Bill Beaumont who took inconceivable risks, so that we could fly without a second thought.

Covers the design and multiple uses of the Heinkel He 115.

Almost everything you know about airships is wrong. Between 1917 and 1935, the US Navy poured tens of millions of dollars into their airship programme, building a series of dirigibles each one more enormous than the last. These flying behemoths were to be the future of long-distance transport, competing with trains and ocean liners to carry people, post and cargo from country to country, and even across the sea. But by 1936 all these ambitious plans had been scrapped. What happened? When Giants Ruled the Sky is the story of how the American rigid airship came within a hair's breadth of dominating long-distance transportation. It is also the story of four men whose courage and determination kept the programme going despite the obstacles thrown in their way - until the Navy deliberately ignored a fatal design flaw, bringing the programme crashing back to earth. The subsequent cover-up prevented the truth from being told for more than eighty years. Now, for the first time, what really happened can be revealed.