Book excerpt: Profiling hundreds of space programmes and their different technologies, Jane's Space Directory enables you to identify thousands of different commercial and defence applications. Key objectives, developments and technical specifications of available vehicles and systems are reviewed, including the new generation of launch vehicles. Structured around the categorisation of functions and presented for quick comparison and evaluation, each entry comes with accompanying illustrations. Supplier and manufacturer listings help support your market research and procurement requirements. Key content includes: Government and non-government space programmes; Global space industry directory; Civilian operations; Orbital and suborbital launch vehicles; Propulsion; Commercial and military satellites; Planetary and space science; Human space flight; Launch listings; Contractors. For a complete listing of aerospace organisations and personnel around the globe see Jane's International ABC Aerospace Directory.