NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini-Huygens: 1997 onwards (Cassini orbiter, Huygens probe and future exploration concepts) (Owners' Workshop Manual)

Excellent book for the Saturn enthusiasts. Get them now while the Cassini orbiter is still in the final phase of her flight!

Wonderfully detailed "owners manual" for Cassini-Huygens, with excellent insights into the mission and engineering behind it.

I love this book! Esp. with the probe going bye bye......

Although Haynes still occasionally pumps out some really lackluster rehashes that are more photo-book than "technical manual," their space books have definitely improved over the last couple years. I've gotten a little burnt out on the series (to be fair, there's nothing wrong with weaning yourself from an addiction), but books like this give me hope that it won't die out anytime soon. The level of detail in this book is roughly comparable to their recent Mercury spacecraft manual - in short, novice readers stay away, serious space geeks take note.The book opens with a brief overview of the genesis and design of an unmanned Saturn/Titan probe in the mid-80s through early 90s. The next two chapters (roughly 70 pages) provide a wealth of detail on the Cassini orbiter and Huygens probe. Each of the major spacecraft systems and instruments is described in fairly rich technical detail, accompanied by a large number of "behind the scenes" photographs and technical diagrams. The rest of the book is essentially a chronological history from spacecraft assembly, through launch and cruise, Saturn arrival, Huygens landing, and ongoing exploration. The final chapter provides an interesting look at possible future missions to Saturn and Titan, including miniature submarines and dirigibles.This is probably the densest and most detailed space book Haynes has ever published. There's a flowchart showing how the AACS functioned, detailed explanations of what the DCSS, FPGA, MMRTG, and VIMS do, exploded views of the NAC of the ISS, and even a diagram showing the relationship of the BTA to the PMS. Lest anyone thinks I'm being sarcastic, the glossary provides explanations of roughly 250 acronyms. Quite honestly, this book can be a bit exhausting in places, and I found myself taking breaks from it rather often. The second half is definitely an easier read; the technical detail is still present but not quite as heavy, and everything described earlier on has a part to play in a narrative history of the spacecraft.The author is a planetary physicist and engineer who was heavily involved in the design of the Huygens probe, so it's not really surprising how detailed this book is, or that it focuses on the Titan/Huygens side of things. There's no human interest material, no "how we fixed it at the last second" drama, or much in the way in spectacular imagery. Although it can be awfully dense at times, this book is definitely worth checking out for anyone looking for a straight no-BS look at the engineering behind the Cassini spacecraft.

Good reading. Lots of information on Cassini at Saturn mission

my husband loves it very mucha

This is a marvelous book to read cover-to-cover, or to pick through. I've operated Cassini for twenty years; today I learned, from this wonderful book, exactly how exquisitely this or that little detail was engineered, and exactly how it operated. For example take the Huygens Probe Separation Subsystem (SEPS, page 45), that set of three funny-looking tabs sticking out on Huygens. Its task was to mechanically support Huygens on Cassini during launch and cruise and arrival, to separate Huygens from Cassini on command (while imparting a twist), to separate Huygens's heat shield on command three weeks later after initial atmospheric entry, and then to separate the Huygens Probe's back cover during descent. Every tiny detail of Huygens and Cassini enjoys similar treatment in this Owners' Workshop Manual. Two take-home points: (1) Imagine a final page proclaiming (accurately), in big bold letters, "And it all basically worked without a hitch!" and (2) This book is a key to thoroughly appreciating the singular, monumental, extraordinary piece of work that will be burning up like a meteor in Saturn's atmosphere, early on September 15, 2017.

This tells you everything you wanted to know about Cassini-Huygens and more. And what a fun format!

Great detailed information. Book arrived quickly and in good shape. A great read.

Estupendo. Muy bien presentado y con mucho detalle como yo quería. Lo mejor, las ilustracio nes. Información muy tecnica, ojo.

A must for anyone with an interest in planetary exploration and science. This will be a fantastic keepsake after the Cassini mission ends with a high speed, 119,100 KPH / 76,000 MPH atmospheric entry on: Friday 15th September 2017. Very well researched, brilliant images, diagrams and text. Also Huygens was extremely well covered too that successfully landed on Saturn's planet Mercury sized moon Titan way back on: Friday 14th January 2005.Thoroughly recommended by someone (me) who has followed this mission from well before construction of the Cassini spacecraft even started, let alone launch.Andrew R Brown.

Very good and technical book by one of those involved in the Huyghens probe (and leads of the recently-approved “Dragonfly” mission, but this is not mentioned in the book). Detailed coverage of the mission planning, instruments, and major events (it was written a few months before the end of mission, which is also covered there). Just a bit of caution, it may be a bit “deep” for someone new to Cassini-Huygens, but otherwise an excellent reference

excellent