Table of Contents

1 Propulsion Fundamentals.- 1.1 History.- 1.2 Propulsion Fundamentals.- 1.3 Trajectory and Orbits.- 1.4 Classification of Propulsion Systems.- 2 Chemical Propulsion Systems.- 2.1 Thermodynamic Characterization.- 2.2 Chemical Propulsion Overview.- 2.3 Nozzle Design — Atmospheric Flight.- 2.4 Advanced Propellants.- 2.5 Alternative Designs.- 2.6 Reusable Launch Vehicles.- 3 Launch Assist Technologies.- 3.1 Reduction of Required ??.- 3.2 Advanced Drag Reduction.- 3.3 Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Propulsion.- 3.4 MHD Energy Bypass Application.- 4 Nuclear Propulsion Systems.- 4.1 Overview.- 4.2 Fission Propulsion.- 4.3 Radioisotope Nuclear Rocket.- 4.4 Fusion Propulsion.- 4.5 Antimatter Propulsion.- 5 Electric Propulsion Systems.- 5.1 Electrothermal.- 5.2 Electrostatic.- 5.3 Electromagnetic.- 5.4 Induced Spacecraft Interactions.- 6 Micropropulsion.- 6.1 Chemical Propulsion.- 6.2 Electric Propulsion.- 7 Propellantless Propulsion.- 7.1 Tethers.- 7.2 Propellantless Electric/Nuclear Propulsion.- 7.3 Photon Rocket.- 7.4 Beamed Energy Earth-to-orbit Propulsion.- 7.5 Solar Sails.- 7.6 Magnetic Sails.- 8 Breakthrough Propulsion.- 8.1 Current Fundamental Limitations in Propulsion.- 8.2 Quantum Physics, Relativity Theory, Electromagnetism and Space Propulsion.- 8.3 Experiments Leading to Possible Breakthroughs.- 8.4 When Will We Revolutionize Space Travel?.- Further Reading.

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"... Der Autor bietet auf gedrangtem Raum eine ausgezeichnete wie spannende Ubersicht uber Geschichte, Gegenwart und potentielle Zukunft von Raketenmotoren - mit allen Risiken und Nebenwirkungen. Lesenswert, vor allem der visionaren Ausblicke bezuglich kunftiger Antriebe und deren Quellen wegen." Neue Ruhr Zeitung 3/2003