This book is a comprehensive history of the first six decades of space exploration, from the end of World War II to the modern era of routine international cooperation in space. * Comprises 700 A-Z entries covering every human spaceflight and all significant robotic space exploration programs, with hundreds of biographical entries * Includes 148 beautiful and historic photographs illustrating all major articles, including international (non-U.S., non-Russian) space programs, action photos showing astronauts and cosmonauts at work in space, and photos of space vehicles and equipment * Provides bibliographic listings, organized by topic, of print and online sources for further reading * Includes complete chronologies of the space shuttle and Soyuz programs through 2008