Isakowitz, the deputy chief financial officer at NASA, compiles information on launch programs in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Israel, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, and the US. Information is in a standardized format in sections describing each of the launch systems in detail, with one-page vehicle summaries, performance graphs for a variety of orbits, and information on cost, availability, flight history, payload accommodations, and production and launch operations. Useful for engineers, policy makers, planners, insurers, and managers, the book can be used to purchase launch services, design new systems, prevent failures, and regulate corporate mergers. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)