Implosion: Lessons from National Security, High Reliability Spacecraft, Electronics, and the Forces Which Changed Them

by L. Temple

Implosion is a focused study of the history and uses of high-reliability, solid-state electronics, military standards, and space systems that support our national security and defense. This book is unique in combining the interdependent evolution of and interrelationships among military standards, solid-state electronics, and very high-reliability space systems. Starting with a brief description of the physics that enabled the development of the first transistor, Implosion covers the need for standardizing military electronics, which began during World War II and continues today. The book shows how these twin topics affected, and largely enabled, the highest reliability and most technologically capable robotic systems ever conceived. This riveting history helps Written in clear, jargon-free language, but with plenty of technical detail, Implosion is a must-read for aerospace and aviation engineers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts; technology students and historians; and anyone interested in the history of technology, military technology, and the space program.

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2012

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many histories have been written around the topic of the highs and lows of NASA and civil space however so much of that history is surrounded and impacted by the realities of National Security Space (NSS). This wonderfully written and detailed history takes on NSS with a mission to enlighten the reader to how NSS developed high reliability systems that were the envy of the world and later how poorly informed and ill conceived "acquisition reforms" nearly sunk that capability. The author leaves the reader with a concise set of paths forward.

All leaders within NSS at every level should read and understand this history. I would give it 6 stars if I could.

This book is available as an eBook via IEEE or wherever J. Wiley textbooks are available.