Pagina precedenteG. Genta e M. Rycroft, Space, the Final Frontier?,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003
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Indice PREFACE INTRODUCTION 1. SPACE TODAY A dramatic beginning Unfulfilled promises Crisis of growth? Commercial activities Scientific activities Military applications Space and the developing countries Robots or humans in space
2. THE GATEWAY TO SPACE The two cosmic velocities Rocket propulsion Beyond the Space Shuttle Non-reusable rockets Spaceports Guns, skyhooks and space fountains
3. CITIES AND FACTORIES IN SPACE? Orbital labs and earlier space stations The International Space Station Effects of microgravity on the human body Radiation and space debris Space habitats Energy generation in space Orbital power stations Light from space
4. ROBOTS IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM Large interplanetary spacecraft Low cost space probes Propulsion in deep space Is there life on Mars? New robotic planetary probes Exploration of comets and asteroids The Kuiper belt and the heliopause The focal line of the Sun’s gravitational lens
5. BACK TO THE MOON Should we return to the Moon or go straight to Mars? The rationale for scientific missions on the Moon Lunar outposts Permanent bases Private lunar bases? Lunar power stations
6. MARS, THE RED PLANET Dreams and projects The “Mars Outposts” approach Mission planning The first human beings on Mars The beginning of colonisation A planet to be terraformed
7. EXPLOITATION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM The inner planets: Mercury and Venus Mining bases in space: the asteroids Energy from the giant gas planets The frontier of the solar system
8. BEYOND THE PILLARS OF HERCULES Huge distances, yet insufficient speed Theoretical and practical impossibilities Interstellar propulsion Precursor missions Millions of planets The first, probable probes Von Neumann probes Panspermia Humans beyond the solar system Relativistic speeds and human expansion into our galaxy Virtual travellers
9. OTHER LIVES, OTHER CIVILISATIONS Life in the Universe Search for extraterrestrial intelligence The Drake equation Cosmic ambassadors Intelligent lifeforms ET or Alien? Humanoid characteristics ET or Alien again
10. TOWARDS A GALACTIC CIVILISATION Breaking the speed limit A global village on a galactic scale? Millions of human species So let’s go!
APPENDIX A Distances in the solar system and beyond
APPENDIX B The basics of astrodynamics Motion of projectiles in a gravitational field Keplerian trajectories Perturbations to Keplerian trajectories Speed increments Lagrange points Nonlinear astrodynamics Relativistic astrodynamics
APPENDIX C The basics of space propulsion Rocket propulsion Nuclear rockets Electric propulsion Future propulsion technologies
APPENDIX D Common acronyms
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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. (Prof. 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) ...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 and illuminating exploration of the positive and negative aspects of space exploration... (Forecast)
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)
No, this isn't a book about Star Trek! It's about the many aspects of space exploration, from it being just a dream to becoming reality to all the future possibilities. A well-written book with many illustrations and photographs, each of the ten chapters are .discussed in great detail, giving enough information to answer many questions. It also has four appendices for those who seek even more information and scientific explanations. The book opens with a chapter on the history of space exploration. At first the idea was ridiculed but the objections began to fade somewhat when the first artificial satellite was launched in 1957. From here we are taken on a journey to more advanced satellites, the first people in space, probes and space shuttles all the way up to modern day space travel and missions. It documents what people hoped to achieve and the setbacks they encountered as well as the success stories. From there it changes to consider how we achieve all this in the first place i.e. how objects are launched into space. The various ideas of how we get into space and rocket propulsion are explained here. Once in space the thought arises of how we could live there. From the beginning with Skylab to the more modern International Space Station, the advantages and disadvantages of living in space are discussed to the extent of futuristic space cities. Another step from living in space is colonising the Moon and Mars. It is debated whether it would be a better idea to return to the Moon or to try and make Mars a more inhabitable planet, or both. Some very intriguing arguments are brought up here. However it is not just manned missions that are discussed, as some things we have to leave up to the technology, such as probes to the outer planets and robotic vehicles to Mars. The future of these and how they could be of use to us is discussed. But what of exploring outside of our solar system? The problem arises that even if we could travel at the speed of light, the fastest possible known speed, it would still take far too many years to get anywhere. So if you're interested in space missions from the first satellites up to the International Space Station, or perhaps wondering if science fiction like colonizing other planets could ever become a reality, then this is the book for you. With many interesting points, this book really has everything you could possibly think of about space exploration. Easy to understand and laid out well, it is definitely a great read. (Amanda Ryan, Astronomy andSpace )
Space - what are the possibilities? What are the motivations, Options and challenges? This book considers the many arguments with which we are all familiar. For example: should we return to the Moon or go straight to Mars or is there life in the Universe and should we advertise our presence on Earth - are just two of the plain themes contained within ten chapters. Developments to date are reviewed and arguments put forward and deliberated before the authors settle on a view, or sometimes a number of conclusions. Whether the technology exists to terraform Mars is not the most important consideration, rather the focus is on the practicalities, benefits and ethical implications that might occur if we did. Neither does the book try to predict the future, but merely asks whether we arc ready for some of the possibilities and consequences that may occur. This is a good read and the authors discuss a wide range of subjects well, with such a wide remit one might. consider a specialist book preferable but this-publication meets its aims well, with a clear and highly readable style. Sadly a number of the black and white pictures appear rather pixelated and are poorly reproduced, which distracts a little from the excellent writing. Nevertheless, this book is recommended but unless this is your particular area of interest it may be best borrowed from a library. (Robin Flegg, Astronomy Now)
What are our motivations for going into space? Where does our long-term space future lie? Why, and how, should we strive to reach, if not for the stars, at least for the Moon and Mars? What are the greatest challenges and advantages of space to the human species? This exciting book looks first at the progress that has already been made in our attempts to explore and expand beyond the Earth. Current and past space technologies and space stations are described, and the effects of the space environment on the human body are explained. A discussion of the merits of the robotic exploration of space is followed by a look at our exploration of the Moon and Mars, and exploitation of the solar system resources. Final chapters touch on propulsion methods required for leaving our solar system, and ask which of the possibilities for future space travel is most likely to succeed. Whatever happens in the future, our expansion into space will change us deeply. This book is a rewarding read and thought provoking too. Recommended. (Richard Taylor, Spaceflight)
...Should space exploration proceed by means of robotics or human spaceflight? How can we afford either? And even: Should space exploration proceec at all? Giancarlo Genta and Michael Rycroft are firmly of the opinion that it should. In Space, the final frontier? (Cambridge University Press, £29, hbk, 0 52181403 0) they present a broad survey of opinions, ideas and arguments about the exploration of space. It is more conversation than polemic and explores everything from social and economic pressures to potential technologies such as space fountains. Notably, it is not restricted to the scientist's or the industrialist's point of view. It is a readable and accessible volume, but is let down a little by some unnecessarily poor figures. Overall, though, it is a significant contribution to a debate that should concern us all. (Sue Bowler, Astronomy and Geophysics)
No points for originality in the title department, but Genta and Rycroft's book boldly splits infinitives in that awkward speculative place where current technology has run out of steam and silicon, and future technologies have not been invented yet. The writers are both academic space scientists, and this is probably one of the best examinations of what could happen next available in print. Space factories, missions both manned and robotic, various new kinds of propulsion and space-based power for the Earth are all covered. The big plus is that there are some inspiring ideas and illustrations to ogle. The big minus is that the organization is somewhat scrappy, and there seams to be not much of a logical thread tying everything together. Otherwise this is definitely recommended reading for everyone wondering what's likely to happen over the next century or two. (Nick Chang, Focus)
Dust Jackets can be irritatingly misleading. With its clichéd title and breathy prose of striving and challenges, Space, the final frontier? has one that falls in to this cathegory. The content is, in fact, more of an encyclopedic skim across the surface of space technology and space science. Rather than addressing imponderables about long term future in space, as its jacket advertizes, we have short sections of topics ranging from navigation satellites to the Kuiper belt and missions to Mars. However, there are useful appendices on the basics of astrodynamics and space propulsion for the beginner. The book should interest people with non specialist's curiosity about space. Anyone who would like guidance about how to take interest to a slightly deeper level, might find the light sprinkling of footnotes and bibliographic references helpful. (Helen Gavaghan,New Scientist)
… this is probably one of the best examinations of what could happen next available in print. Space factories, missions both manned and robotic, various new kinds of propulsion and space-based power for the Earth are all covered. … definitely recommended reading for anyone wondering what's likely to happen over the next century or two. Nick Chang, Focus
Astronomy and Geophysics
Spaceflight
Astronomy Now
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