Engineering Feats

Since the last flight of the Space Shuttle in 2011, America's manned space program has been put on hold. NASA has been forced to rely on Russian and commercial spacecraft to ferry personnel and supplies to the International Space Station. But NASA scientists and engineers, and their colleagues in the spaceflight community, are working hard to return America to its former dominance in space via the Orion program. Orion, America's next-generation spacecraft, is a Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. It is designed to carry 2 to 6 crew members into deep space. Similar to the Apollo capsule in appearance, but larger and much more advanced, it has already successfully completed its first unmanned test flight. In 2018, Orion will lift into space on a massive new rocket, especially designed for it, for the first time. The event, designated Exploration Mission 1, will mark the first of many steps along America's path to the planet Mars-and beyond.

It hovers more than 1,000 feet into the sky. On foggy days, it is like driving in the clouds. It is the Millau Viaduct. And it is perhaps the most incredible bridge in the world. The beautiful structure sits over the Tarn River and beautiful French countryside. Learn about the geniuses that designed it and how it was built. Learn about how it has saved millions of drivers a lot of time and a lot of money. Learn about the tiny town of Millau. Learn about how the people there have embraced what is now a famous landmark. This book gives readers everything they would want to know about a stunning structure that has hosted more than five million vehicles since it opened in 2004.

Is there life on distant planets? How did the universe get started? Can humans find other worlds in which to live? Nobody knows the answers to these questions. They have remained mysteries since the dawn of time. But just maybe the FAST Telescope will provide the answers. The most powerful telescope in the world was built in a remote area of China. It has already received signals from many light years away. The FAST Telescope is a marvel of engineering. It is no wonder that millions of people have flocked to the area to feast their eyes upon it and learn all about it. But readers need not visit China to catch a glimpse and find out more. They can do that just by opening this book. What is in these pages is truly remarkable.

The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in China is the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. China's revered leader Sun Yat-sen conceived of it in 1919. Plans for its design and construction spanned several generations. Over the years, it suffered many delays and setbacks. It finally became a reality almost a century later. The massive structure-a true engineering marvel-became fully operational in July 2012. Since its inception, the huge dam has attracted great praise and equally great criticism. Its supporters point to its benefits, mainly flood control, power production, and improved navigation on the river. Detractors of the dam voice concerns over its negative effects on the ecology and environment. Both sides back their positions with convincing arguments. Only time will tell whether the dam's benefits will outweigh its liabilities. In either case, the Three Gorges Dam stands tall on the river.

Launched on Oct. 15, 1997, the spacecraft entered orbit around Saturn on June 30, 2004 (PDT). After its four-year prime mission, Cassini's tour was extended twice. Beginning in 2010, Cassini began a seven-year mission extension in which it completed many moon flybys on Saturn and Titan. In April 2017, operators placed Cassini on an impact course that unfolded over five months of daring dives. On Sept. 15, 2017, the spacecraft made its final approach to the giant planet Saturn. But this encounter was like no other. This time, Cassini dived into the planet's atmosphere, sending science data for as long as its small thrusters could keep the spacecraft's antenna pointed at Earth. To its very end, Cassini was a mission of thrilling exploration.

The U.S. Navy ruled the waves in the 20th century. It met the challenge of World War II and emerged as the greatest navy in the world. And it has worked hard ever since to maintain its mastery of the seas. No navy on earth is its equal or even comes close. It owes its continued dominance, in part, to its submarines and the submariners who man them. About the start of the 21st century, however, both China and Russia expanded their submarine production. They now pose a threat to the U.S. Navy's undersea superiority. Today, the Navy stands ready to meet any new undersea challenges from potential adversaries. A new underwater strike force has joined the fleet-the Virginia-class new attack submarines. They are designed to keep the Navy's edge in undersea warfighting. Each boat-as submariners call them-represents engineering and technology elevated to the threshold of perfection. Adversaries beware!