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. * 580 articles describing various aspects of manned and unmanned space exploration, including a full range of social, technological, and political issues, such as government policy, nationalism, and the technology/military-driven economy * Six overview essays, introducing each of the encyclopedia's major sections and putting that aspect of space exploration into historical context * 136 contributors, many who are leading space historians and experts affiliated with the American Astronautical Society, make firsthand knowledge and fresh insights accessible to all audiences * Numerous photos, including stunning shots from space, star charts, technical drawings, and more * Short bibliographies conclude each entry, pointing readers to the best sources to find out more about the topic * A Glossary defining the various technical terms encountered in the encyclopedia