The author
Dr Graham Swinerd retired at the end of September 2010 as a 'reader in astronautics' from the University of Southampton UK after an eventful thirty-year career 'in space', both in industry and academia. His 'readership', within the School of Engineering Sciences, involved him in the rewarding experience of introducing bright young minds to the topic of spacecraft engineering and design. He was also 'research active', with a focus on orbital dynamics, attitude control and the environmental issues associated with space junk in orbit. Over the last twenty years, he has run courses for the European Space Agency to train technical staff in the topic of space systems engineering, an activity in which he is still actively involved.
Graham says that we would find it very difficult to adjust to a world without satellites - "our cars and mobile phones routinely come equipped with satnav, when we make an intercontinental telephone call our voices are carried by satellites in high orbit, and the weather forecasts we watch on our satellite TVs display images taken from space. Earth observation spacecraft monitor the threat of global warming, and science spacecraft like the Hubble Space Telescope have transformed our view of the Universe. Space technology has become fully integrated into our lives - without us even noticing".
Graham explains "I wrote this book because I wanted to share my enthusiasm for all things 'space' which was sparked by an inspirational teacher when I was a small boy, and then reinforced by the phenomenal adventure of the Apollo moon landings during my teenage years. I have attempted to distil into this book my knowledge and experience gained during a long career in the space sector".
"Most of all, I have tried to explain how spacecraft work in a way which is accessible to people who are interested in space, but don't have the scientific or mathematical background to understand all the technical books written on the subject".
In addition to writing this popular science book, he is principal editor of an award-winning technical textbook on spacecraft design (Spacecraft Systems Engineering, Wiley & Sons – released in 4th Edition in August 2011. See http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047075012X,subjectCd-PH10.html). He has also published over 80 technical papers in refereed journals and authored numerous space conference papers over the years.
For more information about the author, please google 'Graham Swinerd' (using www.google.co.uk, or your national equivalent).
Graham says that we would find it very difficult to adjust to a world without satellites - "our cars and mobile phones routinely come equipped with satnav, when we make an intercontinental telephone call our voices are carried by satellites in high orbit, and the weather forecasts we watch on our satellite TVs display images taken from space. Earth observation spacecraft monitor the threat of global warming, and science spacecraft like the Hubble Space Telescope have transformed our view of the Universe. Space technology has become fully integrated into our lives - without us even noticing".
Graham explains "I wrote this book because I wanted to share my enthusiasm for all things 'space' which was sparked by an inspirational teacher when I was a small boy, and then reinforced by the phenomenal adventure of the Apollo moon landings during my teenage years. I have attempted to distil into this book my knowledge and experience gained during a long career in the space sector".
"Most of all, I have tried to explain how spacecraft work in a way which is accessible to people who are interested in space, but don't have the scientific or mathematical background to understand all the technical books written on the subject".
In addition to writing this popular science book, he is principal editor of an award-winning technical textbook on spacecraft design (Spacecraft Systems Engineering, Wiley & Sons – released in 4th Edition in August 2011. See http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047075012X,subjectCd-PH10.html). He has also published over 80 technical papers in refereed journals and authored numerous space conference papers over the years.
For more information about the author, please google 'Graham Swinerd' (using www.google.co.uk, or your national equivalent).
