Konstantin Tsiolkovsky His Life and Work

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Summary: Father of the Soviet space program
Review: A pioneering Russian aeronautical theorist and writer, he is the father of the Soviet space program. He built the first wind tunnel and solved fundamental problems about space travel, such as use of liquid rocket fuel, long before such activity was feasible. Although he was unappreciated in his lifetime, Sputnik's launch was made to coincide with his centennial.

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Summary: Tsiolkovsky was a bold innovator and inventor
Review: Konstantin Tsiolkovsky died on September 19, 1935 at the age of 78. His works and his ideas have become the scientific basis of the modern theory of jet propulsion. He foresaw the significance of jet propulsion and the conquest of the stratosphere, of flights at supersonic speeds.

A museum has been opened in Kaluga in the house where Tsiolkovsky died. The exhibits are mechanical devices and models which he made with his own hands. The scientist's manuscripts and copies of his published works are exhibited in glass showcases.

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky's tombstone bears the following prophetic words inscribed under the bas-relief of a rocket: "Mankind will not remain on the earth forever, but, in search of light and space, will at first timidly penetrate beyond the limits of the atmosphere and then finally conquer the spaces of the solar system."

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Summary: Tsiolkovsky - The Father of Soviet Rocketry.
Review: This planet is the cradle of human mind, but one cannot spend all one's life in a cradle.
- Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.

_Konstantin Tsiolkovsky: His Life and Work_ by A. Kosmodemyanksky is the biography of Russian rocket pioneer Konstantin Tsiolkovsky. Tsiolkovsky's work included research into the mechanics of the all metal dirigible, designs for an aeroplane and wind tunnel, as well as the theory of rocketry. Tsiolkovsky also wrote on interplanetary travel as well as writing some science fiction and philosophical works. From an early age Tsiolkovsky showed an interest in mathematics, physics, and natural science; however, he was hampered by various difficulties including near deafness which overcame him after a bout of scarlet fever. Tsiolkovsky began his researches in the theory of the all metal dirigible. However, his work was not recognized or funded sufficiently in tsarist Russia. Later, when the Soviets came to power Tsiolkovsky became recognized for his work in rocketry. Tsiolkovsky believed that man would conquer space and his writing proved prophetic in that he suggested rockets would be used to achieve interplanetary travel. Tsiolkovsky offered several distinct designs for rockets and studied the chemistry necessary to understand their fuel requirements. He also derived an equation which showed the velocity necessary to escape the earth's gravitational field. He was regarded by many as a dreamer and utopian for his ideas on interplanetary travel and the future of the human race. His work continues to be important today and his theories have proven prescient to our modern continuing discovery of space. This book provides an excellent introduction to his scientific and mechanical thought as it pertains to rocketry.