Seeking to reenergize Americans' passion for the space program,
the value of further exploration of the Moon, and the importance of
human beings on the final frontier, Claude A. Piantadosi presents a
rich history of American space exploration and its major
achievements. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming national
command of our manned program and continuing our unmanned space
missions, and he stresses the many adventures that still await us
in the unfolding universe. Acknowledging space exploration's
practical and financial obstacles, Piantadosi challenges us to
revitalize American leadership in space exploration in order to
reap its scientific bounty.
Piantadosi explains why space exploration, a captivating story
of ambition, invention, and discovery, is also increasingly
difficult and why space experts always seem to disagree. He argues
that the future of the space program requires merging the
practicalities of exploration with the constraints of human
biology. Space science deals with the unknown, and the margin (and
budget) for error is small. Lethal near-vacuum conditions, deadly
cosmic radiation, microgravity, vast distances, and highly
scattered resources remain immense physical problems. To forge
ahead, America needs to develop affordable space transportation and
flexible exploration strategies based in sound science. Piantadosi
closes with suggestions for accomplishing these goals, combining
his healthy skepticism as a scientist with an unshakable belief in
space's untapped -- and wholly worthwhile -- potential.
eISBN: 978-0-231-53103-0
Subjects: Physics, Technology, Astronomy, General Science
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