Even as America and Russia stepped up their efforts in the early 1960s to design ever faster bombers and put men and equipment into space; Britain quietly set to work devising its own hypersonic aircraft and manned space vehicles. British Secret Projects 5: Britain's Space Shuttle tells the story of how; from 1963 to 1966; English Electric/BAC's Preston works secretly led the world in re-useable spacecraft design.A huge variety of designs formed the P.42 project with more than 100 proposals for hypersonic interceptors; bombers; reconnaissance aircraft; satellite launchers; spacecraft launchers; orbital spy planes and satellite killers. The end result was the 'Multi-Unit Space Transport And Recovery Device' (MUSTARD); which pre-dated the USA's Space Shuttle program by six years. Based on unique access to the original project drawings; photographs; archives and interviews with surviving members of the design team; British Secret Projects 5: Britain's Space Shuttle offers a unique insight into this hitherto little-known chapter in the secret history of the UK manned space flight program.
#2131800 in Books Datum Publishing Ltd 2009-12-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .72 x 5.98l; 1.01 #File Name: 1907472037344 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Guts and determinationBy A. LittlewoodWhat an incredible story. Whittle is truly a man to be admired. Through his brains; courage and determination he raised himself from a working class beginning; to someone internationally renowned for his accomplishments. This was in the face of relentless obstacles and opposition from government bureaucrats and industry "experts" who thought they knew better; but were proven wrong. Most people would have given up in the face of such opposition. The world was given a new technology and industry because of Whittle. The U.K. Government gave the technology free of charge to America. I can only think that this was in gratitude for American participation in WW2.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I absolutely enjoyed this book from beginning to endBy Shalima MohammedI absolutely enjoyed this book from beginning to end; it highlights all the trials and tribulations Sir Frank Whittle endured to bring his dream to fruition. Most of us take for granted that marvellous piece of engineering known as the jet engine; this book gives you some insight into the failures and the triumphs of the jet engine while in its infancy. It also highlights Sir Frank's unending desire to see his "baby" succeed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good history of the jet engineBy Jan MuckThis is not casual reading. But if you are an aeronautical engineer you'll love it. Pages of technical information with numbers and test results.
