The definitive text on rocket propulsion—now revised to reflect advancements in the field For sixty years, Sutton's Rocket Propulsion Elements has been regarded as the single most authoritative sourcebook on rocket propulsion technology. As with the previous edition, coauthored with Oscar Biblarz, the Eighth Edition of Rocket Propulsion Elements offers a thorough introduction to basic principles of rocket propulsion for guided missiles, space flight, or satellite flight. It describes the physical mechanisms and designs for various types of rockets' and provides an understanding of how rocket propulsion is applied to flying vehicles. Updated and strengthened throughout, the Eighth Edition Comprehensive and coherently organized, this seminal text guides readers evenhandedly through the complex factors that shape rocket propulsion, with both theory and practical design considerations. Professional engineers in the aerospace and defense industries as well as students in mechanical and aerospace engineering will find this updated classic indispensable for its scope of coverage and utility.
This is a must read for all aspiring engineers who want to work on building launch vehicles. Depending on your background, this book along with few others would give you enough technical knowledge to start off your career in the booming private space industry.
I haven't read this cover-to-cover because most of its contents were already covered in my propulsion course; however, it has been an infinitely valuable resource for my project. It contains an abundance of real-life data and examples, as well as in-depth explanations of how and why you should consider a variety of phenomena when building a rocket motor, be it a SRM, a LRE or hybrid. If you're an engineering student who is taking a rocket propulsion course, by all means, you can rely on this book (and maybe the Humble for LREs). It isn't enough for professional work, but it's an excellent learning tool.
The bible of rocket science, whenever I need information about any form of engine this book will have it. I use it as more of a reference book - so haven't actually read the whole thing (probably about half), but the depth is really appreciated.
Goodness. Heavy going- this is at least a first year university course... and I promised to give it back in 4 weeks.
and
4 week later... I have only fully read to page 225 out of about 600. Read the interesting bits out of the second half but largely ignored solids and electrics. Haven't grasped the formulas so could not yet design a booster/ propulsion system.