Through knowledge gained from the various monumental challenges of space exploration that have occurred over the last 60 years, the book describes in ordinary language the methods that rocket scientists use to dream up ideas, figure things out, make decisions, and get stuff done - expressed in a way that you could apply to everyday life.

In the Introduction, author Jim Longuski writes, "Let me tell you the first secret about rocket scientists. They are not in it for the money. They are in it for the fun. They are the biggest dreamers on Earth because they dream on a cosmic scale." Longuski illustrates the methods rocket scientists use with anecdotes, quotations and biographical sketches of famous scientists, ideas from sci-fi, personal stories and insights, and occasionally a bit of space history. It turns out that rocket science is just common sense applied to the extraordinarily uncommon environment of outer space.

Jim Longuski is on the faculty of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, where he teaches courses in dynamics, aerospace optimization, and spacecraft design.

Related Links
Purdue University
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com