Konstantin Tsiolkovsky is recognized throughout the world as the father of astronautics. He was largely self-educated and in later life worked under extremely difficult conditions in an atmosphere that combined indifference with hostility and ridicule. But his extreme dedication to the idea of space flight never left him. Tsiolkovsky was 60 years old when the October Revolution of 1917 took place, yet most of his scientific papers were written after the revolution. At the time of his death in 1935 they exceeded 500. The tremendous advances of soviet science and technology culminated, in 1957, in the world's first spacecraft - Sputnik I, thus bringing to fruition the prophetic ideas of the great Russian pioneer of astronautics. This volume contains a selection of some of Tsiolkovsky's more important scientific works.

Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was a Russian and Soviet rocket scientist and pioneer of the astronautic theory. His works later inspired leading Soviet rocket engineers and contributed to the success of the Soviet space program. Tsiolkovsky spent most of his life in a log house on the outskirts of Kaluga, about 200 km southwest of Moscow. A recluse by nature, he appeared strange and bizarre to his fellow townsfolk. This volume contains both his scientific and philosophical works.

How did such an intellectual giant spring up out of nowhere? Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky was the founder of Russian astrophysics and cosmonautics. He was a self-taught scientist, inventor, philosopher and science fiction writer. He lost his hearing at age 10; he struggled in obscurity, earning a living as a school teacher; while he was in his prime the Soviet Revolution changed his world - but nothing stopped him from achieving his life's purpose. Historian and biographer Dan Shubin presents Tsiolkovsky's life story and a selection of his compositions including autobiographical notes, his cosmic and political philosophy, and his science fiction writings. Tsiolkovsky's most important designs include the jet-propelled engine, the use of rockets for space travel, and dirigibles made with a metallic shield. His scientific studies contributed to the advancement of technology and science in Soviet Russia. As a teacher he became adept at explaining complex problems in vivid ways that were both clear and inspiring. This talent infused his writing, and his prose has been compared to that of Asimov, Clarke and Heinlein. His stories about travel to the moon and throughout the solar system, and his special brand of cosmic philosophy, motivated the Soviet public to dream of reaching the stars.Unique with Tsiolkovsky was his conviction that advanced life existed on other planets and his confidence in man's ability to progress toward the settlement and development of planetary systems throughout outer space.Ever a man ahead of his times, toward the end of his life Tsiolkovsky campaigned for equal rights of all citizens and the abolition of war and violence.This volume includes a biography and a selection of Tsiolkovsky's autobiographical sketches, his cosmic and socialist philosophies, and an example of his science fiction.

The Science Fiction of Konstanin Tsiolkovsky. The first time a complete collection of his science fiction has been published outside the Soviet Union. Tsiolkovsky - Man of Vision - was one of the very first science fiction writers. He was considered by the Russians to be the father of the theory of jet-propulsion and interplanetary travel. Fascinating reading.