Rocket Science. Two words which are synonymous with complexity. Two words which for many people signify the zenith of human genius. A phrase which has entered the English lexicon to describe the toughest discipline in human endeavour. Author Alfred Zaehringer has a unique perspective on both the phrase and the discipline. In this book, his first about space in nearly forty years, Alfred Zaehringer uses his lifetime of experience to take the mystery out of the phrase he coined. Beginning with a short history of the birth of rocketry he moves into an explanation of the physics that makes it possible to use rockets to fly in space. Leaving no stone unturned he moves on to the politics and economics of space-flight before providing a detailed cross-section of mans different uses of the reaction rocket to fly into the heavens. Finally he looks at the proposals for future methods of space transportation and looks at the many promising new technologies which may offer cheaper access to space.

During World War II Alfred Zaehringer witnessed the awesome power of the Nazi's V-2 rocket as it levelled homes and businesses in London, then in 1945 he was once again on hand as V-1 and V-2 missiles were used against the Allied forces at Remagen, site of the famous bridge crossing over the Rhine into Germany. During these final engagements of World War II Zaehringer would also witness the first jet and rocket aircraft as they struggled to protect Germany in the last few months of the war. On returning to his home town of Detroit Zaehringer decided to form a society dedicated to the study of these new technologies. To that end he contacted the American Rocket Society and tried to find like-minded individuals in his local area. Ultimately Zaehringer was able to harness a membership for his new society that included some of the greatest talents of early rocketry.