Prologue.- Hipparcos Launch.- 1 Our Place in the Cosmos.- 2 Why Star Positions?.- 3 Early History.- 4 Developments 1850–1980.- 5 The Push to Space.- 6 From Concept to Launch.- 7 Disaster Unfolds.- 8 Mission Recovery.- 9 Science in the Making.- 10 The Finishing Touches.- 11 Our Galaxy.- 12 Inside the Stars.- 13 Our Solar System and Habitability.- 14 The Future.- Epilogue.- Notes.- Stereo Views.- Acknowledgments.- Index.