Colonies in Space: A Comprehensive and Factual Account of the Prospects for Human Colonization of Space (Stackpole Classics) - Softcover

Heppenheimer, T. A.

4.15

91 ratings by Goodreads

9780811736749: Colonies in Space: A Comprehensive and Factual Account of the Prospects for Human Colonization of Space (Stackpole Classics)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0811736741 ISBN 13: 9780811736749

Publisher: Stackpole Books, 2017

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Is there life in space? Within the solar system, which we can reach and are now beginning to explore, the answer may be: Nothing but spores and bacteria. Perhaps the answer is: Nothing. Beyond our region of space the answer may yet be: Civilizations and cultures of greatness and magnificence untold. But we have not yet learned to detect them or to communicate with them.
As this has become apparent there has been a reaction against many of the more utopian hopes associated with space flight. Less than fifteen years ago John Kennedy could commit the nation to explore "this new ocean," with widespread hope that we were entering a new Age of Discovery. Today it is fashionable to believe that our problems can find solution only on earth and there is nothing in space which can aid us in any way.
This is not so. If we cannot find planets fit for us to live on, or if Mars is not up to our fondest hopes - very well. We can take our own life into space. We can build colonies in space, as pleasant as we want and productive enough to markedly improve humanity's future prospects. And, we can begin to do this anytime we please.

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About the Author:

T. A. Heppenheimer is a planetary scientist with a Ph. D. in aerospace engineering and is presently the Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Max Planck Institut fur Kernphysik in Heidelberg, Germany. Author of approximately 40 articles about planetary science, which have been published in such periodicals as Science, Icarus, Astronautics and Aeronautics, and the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, his skill in putting difficult scientific concepts into interesting and understandable language is evident in Colonies in Space.

Review:

“Colonies in space? Yes, of course. Why not/ Let’s move. Let’s go there. Let’s do the job.
“Mr. Heppenheimer is keeper of the key, opener of the gate, tender of the gardens we will toss to space and inhabit with proper proportions of sorrow and joy. He offers you citizenship in [the] Universe.” – Ray Bradbury (Ray Bradbury)

“How warm and delightful to read about an expanding future for humanity! Mr. Heppenheimer takes us into the infinite world of the coming space age and tells us everything there is to know about it, as of this moment.” –Isaac Asimov (Isaac Asimov)

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