Halfway to Anywhere: Achieving America's Destiny in Space [Paperback]

G. Harry Stine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 1998

I recommend it for anyone interested in peering into the future.--The Smithsonian Institute Air & Space Magazine

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Stine (Mind Machine You Can Build, Top of the Mountain, 1995) has been a prolific author for over 30 years, covering such topics as the space shuttle, space colonization, and space entrepreneurship. His latest work offers many possibilities of using Single-Stage-To-Orbit (SSTO) craft for commercial travel because, he notes, it is much faster than any aircraft in existence today and is reusable. Stine works through the development of this technology, starting at White Sands, after which his presentation becomes increasingly complex. The most fervent objections he has met with concern money, of course. In Chapter 20, "It's the Economics, Stupid!" he responds by offering several reasons why this craft will be economically feasible in the near future. Fascinating stuff for space buffs; recommended for business and science collections.?Lisa K. Miller, Paradise Valley Community Coll. Lib., Phoenix
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Space investment could become a profitable business opportunity and the science is currently in our hands. This goes beyond most 'space books' to survey the commercial potentials for space; from consumer participation in space flights to manufacturing under weightless conditions. Reviewed here under 'science', this also deserves a recommendation for business students. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: M.Evans & Company (March 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871318474
• ISBN-13: 978-0871318473
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,962,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opening portrayal of aerospace R&D!, March 12, 1998

By 

Jeffrey C. Lacombe (Reno, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Halfway to Anywhere: Achieving America's Destiny In Space (Hardcover)

"Halfway to Anywhere" provides an interesting history of a very current subject matter in modern technology, namely the "Reusable Launch Vehicle" (SSTO, etc). The book provides the necessary science background, and proceeds to tell of the development of the SSTO concept and the related X-vehicle programs that have been getting increased attention of late.

A good portion of the book is spent describing recent developments and how they have been "molded" by organizational egos, political maneuvering, and power plays, by everyone including industry, NASA, Congress, the DOD, and various "interest groups". As an engineer and researcher myself, I often found it tempting to sit back and snicker with an anti-establishment attitude at what often appears to be unwise or biased decisions that were not for the "better good" of our country. This said, I think that the reader must bear in mind that there is usually more than one side to an issue, and rarely will they be justly told by the same source. While originally scoffed at, as Stine's history unfolds, the SSTO concept becomes generally accepted. A degree of reconciliation develops between the various "factions", though a distinct "I told you so" attitude in the book's wording occasionally distracts the reader from the most effective message of the book, namely the importance of this work, both technologically, and economically.

In short, Stine gives a sometimes-biased, though always interesting account of what the subject of Reusable Launch Vehicles is all about (at least at present). Perhaps more importantly, he tells us WHY we should care, particularly in light of the relatively small costs, and the potentially large return on investment. Of course it must continue to be done "correctly", and not evolve into a thinly disguised "technical jobs program" that produces little more than paper at the cost of billions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harry has the guts to tell it like it is and can be!, September 30, 1999

By 

R. C. NELSON (Jacksonville, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Halfway to Anywhere: Achieving America's Destiny in Space (Paperback)

This is a must-read for any thinking person. The author charts the course for the future, and exposes the foibles of the past and present. The title will become apropos in the first 40 pages. I have been reading his works since 1959, and consider this man to be one of the unrecognized visionaries of our time. There is no escaping the truths in this work, even if you work for NASA and its subcontractors, as I have. No book offers more promise for the future of safe and routine space flight without mental flights of fancy better than this one. I hope to meet this author one day. Harry still has it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting...inspiring book, June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Halfway to Anywhere: Achieving America's Destiny in Space (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book very much and although it rants and raves a bit it delivers a strong message. Unfortunately the Delta Clipper was recently destroyed when a landing gear failed. Luckily several other companies seem interested in SSTO's so there is always hope.