Space, the Final Frontier? [Hardcover]

Giancarlo Genta (Author), Michael Rycroft (Author), Franco Malerba (Foreword), Michael Foale (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2003

What future possibilities for space travel are the most likely to succeed? What are the greatest challenges and advantages of space travel for humankind? What are the potential moral and ethical implications of our space explorations? Space, the Final Frontier imaginatively illustrates the possibilities that the exploration and subsequent exploitation of space opens up for humankind. Giancarlo Genta and Michael Rycroft delve into the factors that encourage space travel and speculate on the future of human expansion into space, including: the value and importance of having humans in space; the human exploration and colonization of our solar system; robotic exploration of the outer planets, their satellites and asteroids; the future possibility that humans may leave our solar system; the prospects and implications of our meeting other intelligent beings in space; the likelihood, consequences, and benefits of future space technologies. This insightful and visionary look at the future of human space exploration will appeal to all readers fascinated by space. Giancarlo Genta is Professor in the Department of Mechanics at the Technical University of Turin, Italy. He obtained degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering from the same university, and his current research in applied mechanics is linked to the construction of machines. He has published a large number of research papers and eight previous books including Vibrations of Structures and Machines: Practical Aspects (Springer-Verlag New York, 1993, 1994, 1998) and Motor Vehicle Dynamics: Modelling and Simulation (World Scientific Publishing Company, 1997). Michael Rycroft is a visiting professor at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France, and at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK. For eleven years he was Head of the Atmospheric Sciences Division at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, and he also spent four years as Professor of Aerospace at Cranfield University. He has acted as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Managing Editor of Surveys in Geophysics, and also The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Space (2002).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...detailed and thoughtful...The volume is suitable for all college and university library science and technological collections and would be a valuable and stimulating addition to the shelves of any public library as well." E-STREAMS

"An unrivaled an illuminating exploration of the positive and negative aspects of space exploration..." Forecast

"A splendid account of the way in which the opening of the Space Frontier has transformed life on this Planet-and will eventually bring it to others. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone who has ever stared at that now sadly endangered resource--the night sky." Sir Arthur C. Clarke, Sri Lanka

"Genta and Rycroft want us to stop dawdling and get out there and reap the benefits of space's bounty. Their enthusiasm is infectious and this excellent book will put space back on the agenda." David Hughes, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Sheffield

"This book is wide-ranging and imaginative, spanning the lure of space from the 19th century into the far future. Starting with what has (and has not) been accomplished, the authors argue for a human destiny in space with space power stations, outposts on the Moon, terraforming on Mars, and ultimately trips to the stars." Professor David Morrison, Space Scientist

"An authoritative and finely-illustrated survey of human achievements in space, and an inspiring perspective on future prospects." Professor Sir Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, Cambridge University

"The best book yet on the coming exploration, use and settlement of space. You'll find it all here, from how to voyage beyond earth to possible impacts on us of leaving the terrestrial cradle, and perhaps even contacting extraterrestrials. Balanced, gently phrased for those not at home with space jargon and formulas, but above all exciting for anyone who wonders about humanity's futures in the universe." Ben Finney, Professor of Anthropology, University of Hawaii and the International Space University

"The authors offer a well-presented argument about why we need experience with colonizing and exploring the moon before we send manned missions to Mars.... Recommended." Choice

"This book illustrates the possibilities that the exploration and subsequent exploitation of space opens up for humankind. Authors Giancarlo Genta and Michael Rycroft delve into the factors that encourage space travel and speculate on the future of human expansion into space." Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin

Book Description

What are our motivations for going into space? Of the many possibilities for space travel in the future, which is most likely to succeed? Why, and how, should we strive to reach, if not the stars, at least for the Moon and Mars? What, and where, are the greatest challenges, and advantages, of space to the human species? This insightful look at the future of space exploration and exploitation will appeal to all space enthusiasts.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 430 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521814030
• ISBN-13: 978-0521814034
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,917,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tough going, September 8, 2003

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scifiguy57 "scifiguy57" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Space, the Final Frontier? (Hardcover)

This is a comprehensive history of human progress so far in exploring space, and a discussion of possible future directions. However it is of more use as a reference book than as something to read for entertainment, or to inspire one with the possibilities. (If that's what you want, read "The Millennial Project" by Marshall Savage.) The writing style is very dry and academic. Also, many of the illustrations are very fuzzy and of poor quality, as though scanned in with a cheap scanner at the lowest resolution.