The Complete Book of Spacecraft: Rockets, Shuttles, Satellites, and Space Stations

Marvel at the history of space exploration through its daring vehicles, exhaustively chronicled in this authoritative volume featuring more than 250 artworks.

In 1957, the world looked on with both uncertainty and amazement as the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first man-made orbiter. Sputnik 1 would spend three months circling Earth every 98 minutes and cover 71 million miles in the process. The world's space programs have traveled far (literally and figuratively) since then, and the spacecraft they have developed and deployed represent almost unthinkable advances for such a relatively short period.

In Spacecraft, illustrator and aerospace professional Giuseppe De Chiara teams up with aerospace historian Michael Gorn to present a huge, profusely illustrated aerospace history profiling and depicting spacecraft from Sputnik 1 through the International Space Station and everything in between, including concepts that have yet to actually venture outside the Earth's atmosphere.

This updated and revised edition includes:

• Expertly written profiles depicting and describing the design, development, and deployment of manned and unmanned spacecraft from around the world, including satellites, capsules, spaceplanes, rockets, and space stations--now updated with the latest models
• Vivid scale illustrations of the many international spacecraft in multiple-view, sometimes cross-section, and in many cases shown in archival period photography to provide further historical context
• Earthbound and spaceborne data and intel chronicling every technological leap, engineering challenge, and monumental achievement, from troubleshooting the lunar landers of the '60s to engineering solar-driven sails to propel futuristic craft to Mars and beyond
• A look ahead to an era of privatized space travel and even plans for lunar and Martian space stations and settlement

Dividing the book by era, De Chiara and Gorn feature spacecraft not only from the United States and Soviet Union/Russia, but also from the European Space Agency and China. The mind-blowing machines examined in this volume include the rockets Energia, Falcon 9, and VEGA; the Hubble Space Telescope; the Cassini space probe; and the Mars rovers, Opportunity, and Curiosity.

For anyone who has marveled at humankind's attempts and advances in leaving Earth, Spacecraft: The Complete Guide to the Rockets, Satellites, Capsules, Shuttles, and Stations That Put Us in Space is the definitive reference.

Author: Michael H. Gorn,Davide Sivolella
Publisher: Motorbooks International
Published: 08/26/2025
Pages: 264
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 3.21lbs
Size: 11.00h x 9.40w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780760395073

About the Author

Michael H. Gorn served formerly as deputy Air Force historian and as chief historian of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. He earned a doctorate in history from the University of Southern California. Gorn is the author of more than a dozen books, including NASA's Forgotten Genius: Hugh L. Dryden and the Foundations of the American Space Program, and he has been featured in interviews on BBC, History, and the Discovery Channel. He is a recipient of the AIAA's Gardner-Lasser Aerospace History Award for Expanding the Envelope: Flight Research at the NACA and NASA.

Giuseppe De Chiara is an accomplished aerospace professional who began his career as a designer of Parabolic Flights facilities. He later was assigned to the ISS program as a training expert and operations leader. In 2003, De Chiara began a second career as a professional aerospace illustrator, with his work appearing in several books and publications. De Chiara lives in Caserta, Italy.

Born in Italy, Davide Sivolella was captivated by flying machines from an young age. His passion for astronautics motivated him to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the Polytechnic of Turin. In 2009, Davide relocated to the United Kingdom where he has held various roles in the civil aviation industry, including positions with airlines and aircraft manufacturers. He began his writing career in 2013, regularly publishing books on space-exploration technologies.