14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Vision for Humanity, October 20, 2003
It is easy today to despair of the world and its future: The dot-com debacle, loss of 10% of the jobs in Silicon Valley, a terrorist attack on New York City and the Pentagon, two wars in the Middle East, Arabs blowing themselves up on public streets, the loss of another Shuttle craft.... Yet in this same period, the four years since 2000, the Mars Society has built three research stations and already operated two with thousands of crew person-days of simulated Mars missions. Hundreds of scientists and engineers have generated a copious web site of beautifully illustrated mission reports, produced Discovery Channel and National Geographic specials, published dozens of articles in trade journals such as Scientific American and Popular Science, and presented many inspirational talks in schools and museums.
All that since 1999, about 1500 days. All that while the world looked to be going to hell, when it seemed so easy to give up, to conclude that humans are indeed too limited, too battle hungry, too lost in vanity, greed, and nationalism.
Robert Zubrin and the Mars Society have shown another way. They have shown how to set a vision, creatively finance projects, endure physical challenges-and perhaps most difficult of all, work past their own emotional weaknesses and thirst for control. This group has actually built something: exalting futuristic "habitats" rising out of the Arctic and Southwest Desert. These research stations (Flashline Mars in the Arctic and the Desert Station in Utah) are not only symbols-for that they are, on a grand scale-these are places where real work has been done, where practical engineering and ideals have moved us measurably closer to living on Mars.
I claim that this step, what the Mars Society has done, is nothing less than a clarion call that we can defeat what is bad about humanity, that we can set a goal and a mission that makes life worth living, and gives real meaning to our time.
For in fact, all that the Mars Society has done in these four years, admirably well-told by Zubrin in this scholarly book, is a reminder of how far humanity has come in ten thousand years. The forces of the night have been defeated and can be set asunder, or we would not have come this far. Our ancestors have proven again and again that the ignorance and pettiness of the lizard brain within are no match for the spirit of human imagination, no match for the power of an enchanting vision, the cry of exploration and adventure-here, the thought of searching for fossils, walking on Mars.
The Mars Society and its thousands of supporters in universities, schools, media, and inside the space industry, have demonstrated faith and capable clarity of mind. These people, described throughout this inspiring book, are among the true leaders of our age. We meet Joe, an Inuit who guides us on Devon Island; Christine, a Canadian Chemist who plays Mozart in the hab, and Jim, former head of Kennedy Space Center's public outreach, who arranges to display a hab to 100,000 Cape Canaveral visitors. "Mars on Earth" tells of many more unbridled volunteers-architects, contractors, NASA scientists, reporters, giving their best. Despite moments of fear, equipment failure, and poor judgment, they pulled together, raised the habs, and filled them with imagination. I am proud to have participated, and in awe at the range of talent and creative joy I have found in the Arctic, in our habs, and conferences and local meetings.
If you don't know the story of the Mars Society, read this book, and you may discover a new meaning for your life. It is nothing less than that. And then go to www.marssociety.org, and join. Meet some of the best friends you will ever find. Show by your actions and support what humanity can be.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zubrin does it again. Another great book, December 2, 2009
Robert Zubrin does it again, another fascinating book. This is a book for anyone interested in Mars or high Arctic adventure.
Robert and others of the Mars Society and others want to do something to study and prepare for Mars colonization and manned exploration. One idea is a balloon/ camera for Mars recon piggybacked to someones craft to mars is thought about but the price is too high plus the uncertainty if they can get permission is discussed.Other ideas are discussed but finally building a Hab( Mars research center) to do simulated Mars research on Devon Island in the remote and brutal far north Arctic gets the go ahead.
The hardships the many volunteers go through to eventually construct the HAB on Devon Island is discussed and the difficulties to finance it. Also a HAB is built in the Utah desert with less difficulty and another one is planned to be built in Iceland.
Its a fascinating discussion of building, working together and determination against all odds. Anyone who likes space exploration and expansion of the human race will like this book as well as Arctic adventure lovers.
We see the scientists having to "sim"( simulate) wearing as close to real " Mars" space suits as possible that they could afford. They use ATVs and robots to aid the scientists where its difficult for a man/women to go although we find the vast majority of outside research/exploration is better done by humans. As much of the sites exploration for micro life at the site is done on deliberate "simulated" Martian gathering. Many other experiments are attempted all in Mars simulation. We see their problems with power, food , communication, transportation and all their hardships.They had to protect themselves from Polar bear attack, freezing cold rain and a completely "earth alien" site. Hey it was selected because it resembled Mars topography.
Parts of the book bring a little chuckle. Robert does have a sense of humor. Its well written, no heavy math and an easy read. Nice pictures too.
I have great respect for Robert Zubrin and all the volunteers who worked so hard and suffered the extreme remoteness and bad weather of Devon Island in the far north Arctic.They really busted their backs, put up with the cold and mud to assemble the hab to benefit all mankind for simulated Mars research on earth. All the experience they learned and documented will be extremely valuable for future colonization and manned exploration of Mars.
I personally thank all Mars Society members and others that gave their time, talent and treasures to make this happen.
Do yourself a favor. Read The Case for Mars (5 stars) first and learn about Mars Direct and the work Robert and others did to present his idea to NASA. I'm a big believer in Mars Direct. Then buy Mars on Earth (5 stars) which will add on to your interest.
In summary Mars On Earth is an excellent book that you will enjoy. I was so impressed with both books and having a huge interest in Mars manned exploration and eventual colonization that I became a paid Mars Society member!
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