A complete history of human endeavors in space, this book also moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic issues, and also commercial, civilian, and military applications.

In two expertly written volumes, Space Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia covers all aspects of space flight in all participating nations, ranging from the Cold War-era beginnings of the space race to the lunar landings and the Apollo-Soyuz mission; from the Shuttle disasters and the Hubble telescope to Galileo, the Mars Rover, and the International Space Station. The book moves beyond the traditional topics of human spaceflight, space technology, and space science to include political, social, cultural, and economic issues, and also commercial, civilian, and military applications.

Produced in conjunction with the History Committee of the American Astronautical Society, this work divides its coverage into six sections, each beginning with an overview essay, followed by an alphabetically organized series of entries on topics such as astrophysics and planetary science; civilian and commercial space applications; human spaceflight and microgravity science; space and society; and space technology and engineering. Whether investigating a specific issue or event or tracing an overarching historic trend, students and general readers will find this an invaluable resource for launching their study of one of humanity's most extraordinary endeavors.

Stephen B. Johnson, PhD, is associate research professor in the National Institute for Science, Space, and Security Centers at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and is currently assigned to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for the Ares I Project and Constellation Program.

Timothy M. Chamberlin is design editor for the Tulsa World newspaper in Tulsa, OK.

Michael L. Ciancone is an engineer at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, where he provides technical support on human spaceflight safety to the Constellation Program.

David Leverington, PhD, now retired, is a writer on the history of astronomy and space research.

Katherine Scott Sturdevant, MA and PhD candidate, is professor of history at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, CO.

Rick W. Sturdevant, PhD, is deputy director of history at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO.