Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void

Written by Mary Roach

Narrated by Sandra Burr

The best-selling author of Stiff and Bonk explores the irresistibly strange universe of space travel and life without gravity.

Space is a world devoid of the things we need to live and thrive: air, gravity, hot showers, fresh produce, privacy, beer. Space exploration is in some ways an exploration of what it means to be human. How much can a person give up? How much weirdness can they take? What happens to you when you can’t walk for a year? have sex? smell flowers? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a space walk? Is it possible for the human body to survive a bailout at 17,000 miles per hour? To answer these questions, space agencies set up all manner of quizzical and startlingly bizarre space simulations. As Mary Roach discovers, it’s possible to preview space without ever leaving Earth. From the space shuttle training toilet to a crash test of NASA’s new space capsule (cadaver filling in for astronaut), Roach takes us on a surreally entertaining trip into the science of life in space and space on Earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Aug 2, 2010
• ISBN: 9781441876669

Mary Roach

Mary Roach is the New York Times-bestselling author of several popular science books including Packing for Mars and Gulp, which was shortlisted for the Royal Society Winton prize. Grunt was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Science & Technology Book Prize. She has written for the Guardian, Wired, BBC Focus, GQ and Vogue. Her most recent book is Animal, Vegetable, Criminal.

Reviews for Packing for Mars

[Riese Penner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is a great story about what all goes into a space mission. The author likes to provide goofy little anticdotes that someone with a dry sense of humor will greatly enjoy.

[Jordan · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the first 30% and just couldn't take it anymore. Rather than meaningfully discussing science and engineering required for humans to go interplanetary, this is just a collection of anecdotes about how the 60s were silly, Russians are silly, etc. It's the insufferable branch of writing that thinks important complicated problems are best represented through "aww shucks" stories about real people and how sometimes they have beards and accents. The author suffuses the work with cutesy winking asides — presumably footnotes in the text — to showcase what we can only assume she thinks is wit.

I really want the last couple hours of listening time back. Literally any 20 minute YouTube video about space science is an infinitely better use of your time.

[Bailey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Humans in space, it turns out, are super gross and messy. Even more so than on Earth.

The book is funny and wild and takes some truly ridiculous turns. Though I do think it lacks some of the overall direction of Roach’s other books— the “question” is a little more nebulous, and while most of the stories relate to a potential Mars mission, there are definitely sections that feel more about space in general. That’s not really an issue in of itself, but it goes against the book’s states thesis.

[John Kelley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A frank look at the practical side of spaceflight. It took a lot of work to get us able to get us into space. It was going to be equally difficult to develop the tools and skills we could use to we adapted to survive. This is a great read!

[Tacitus Lector · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Astonishing amount of obscure information, most of which unmasks the public image of space travel. If you're looking to cure yourself of any last vestiges of romanticism or reverence of manned space flight, this book will do it, that's for sure.

[Meghan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pretty cool but a lot less about Mars than I was expecting. Still, lots of really neat inside info on space travel and how it all happens.
Also, Mary Roach is hilarious. She can bring humor into any topic and make it fun.

[valzi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hilariously informative and fascinating, as Mary Roach always seems to be.

[Emily Pendleton · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

the narrator sounds like a robot. I didn't get passed the preface on the audio book quality. I've read other books by author and loved them. rating is solely on the audio book performance or lack thereof.

[Rachel Grant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed listening to this book. I give four stars because I would have like more discussion of the science and technology and less of the author's own experiences. That's just my preference.

[mpolino_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found that Packing for Mars started well but the novelty faded quickly. The book looks at the oddities and obstacles of space travel and some of the new challenges of spending long amounts of time in space. Mary Roach is a witty writer and there are some high points but after the first couple of chapters the chapters felt long and the book lost it's novelty.

[elvisettey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As in her previous books, Mary Roach tackles her subject with incredible humor and voracity. In Packing for Mars, there is no joke overlooked, no detail left unexplored.If you're looking for a linear history of the space program with chronological focus and emphasis on the "big events," look somewhere else. Roach is interested in other questions. What kind of psychological observation does one have to undergo to become an astronaut? What do you eat in space? What's it really like to be in zero gravity? What's the status of animals in space? And-- this one gets a whole chapter-- how do you poop in space?Roach is really in her element when she's, well, in her element-- that is, taking part in and actively observing and talking to the people involved in space research. Chapters like "Withering Heights," where she's doing more of a descriptive-style journalism and less of an immersive journalism, are less entertaining than the ones where she's drinking her own urine or interviewing people who have voluntarily confined themselves to a horizontal position for three months.The abundant footnotes are marvelous little digressions. Yes, they can be tangential, but they're such enjoyable and sneakily-educational little tangents! Consider a note to the word "spacecraft," in reference to their slowing down, that covers everything from space station garbage bags (your practical science) to NASA spatulas (a little history about some experimental testing during the space program) to Timothy Leary (left field).Sly humor abounds, and Roach is never afraid to poke fun at herself and her own insatiable curiousity. At one point, for instance, she quotes "some academic I can't name because I've lost the first page of his paper" (200).Which is not to say the book is not well-documented; in fact, it's exhaustively well-researched. Transcripts from space flight missions abound, there are oral histories galore, plenty of interviews, piles of research papers, tons of books. All of this is accounted for in the bibliography, which you'll definitely find yourself wanting to flip to, because Roach picks out the most interesting sources and makes you become interested in seeing them for yourself, first-hand. It's a handy tool, broken down by chapter for easy reference. There's also a brief but helpful timeline, though unfortunately no index (at least not in my review copy).Roach's enthusiasm for all things quirky about space (from the little day-to-day things to the big questions, like the possibility of a Mars space station) is contagious. I wasn't tremendously well-versed in space trivia before, but I'm a bit the wiser now, and Roach's delivery is such that the facts will stick with me. Packing for Mars is a treat.

[rvhatha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book by Mary Roach that I've read, and she's just jumped to the top of my list of Authors Who Make Me Laugh Out Loud (a list I wish were longer, but one I'm always glad to add to). Despite the title, _Packing for Mars_ is less a high-tech, hard-core-science look at the US space program than it is an exploration of what happens when we have to rely on human beings in all their messy imperfection to operate high-tech, hard-core-science machines. Ever wonder how astronauts learn to poop in space? Curious about the exact number of days, post-bathing, when the human body reaches its maximum level of stinkiness? Or maybe you just wonder whether Tang and Space Sticks ever actually were part of a spaceman's well-balanced diet (children of the 1970s, I know you know what I'm talking about). My friend, all those answers and more--so much more!--can be found here. Seriously, SO FUNNY.

[kassilem · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This gets a four star because it's so interesting. But it is a low four star because the interest wasn't a WOW interest, it was a interesting interest. There was a little too much focus on all that defecating and vomiting in space for my like. Interesting. But a little revolting at the same time. There is a lot about space travel that I had no knowledge of so this was a all new for me. I do like that Roach finds curious topics like these and writes books about them.

[tanya8dogearedcopy · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Will try to book again in print sometime; but the narration on the audiobook edition was intolerable: narrator did not shape text, was unable to incorporate foot notes in to the flow of the text; had a too-neutral voice bordering on monotone.

[michael8xolotl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesting, entertaining, and often very funny look at the dirtier and less glamorous side of NASA and space travel. Recommended if you have any interest in either.

[unclebob53703 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating, vastly entertaining book about those parts of the space program NASA doesn't like to talk about--how do you poop in space? Has anyone ever had sex in space? How is it that America's first two astronauts were chimps? How bad is space food, and why exactly? Mary Roach writes about this and more with quick wit and inexhaustible curiosity, in many cases tracking down the actual people who did the actual stuff. Anyone who is interested enough in space exploration to read about it needs to read this book. Seriously, it's that good. Loses a half point for being a little dated, which is hardly avoidable. Also I'd suggest a different title, as the book really isn't about Mars.

[jill.mackin · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Just wasn't for me.

[bangerlm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book and found it both funny and informative. I think I will read some of her other books.

[jmchshannon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Packing for Mars by Mary Roach is a fun, no-holds-barred look at space travel. On the one hand, I found what she presented to be fascinating. At the same time, Ms. Roach removes the glamor and mystery of going into space. After all, knowing that even such well-trained pilots struggle with space sickness makes me glad I most likely will never reach the edges of space. Sadly, as much as I enjoyed myself while learning about the nitty-gritty details of space travel, I feel Ms. Roach tries a bit too hard to be snarky and cute with her asides or self-aware injections of sarcasm. I don’t know whether this is the fault of Ms. Roach’s writing style or the narrator’s emphasis on such asides. Either way, whenever one would occur, I found myself frowning in dislike because they didn’t fit with the rest of the narrative style. They were enough of a distraction to make me hesitate before selecting another one of Ms. Roach’s books.

[rlxdoc-271910 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good writer.

[kramer85 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not what I was expecting. I was told that Roach is hilarious but I didn't find her writing humorous at all. To add, the last few chapters were written in a very immature and disgusting way. The only reason I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 is that it at least made sense.

[mimo-774848 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Mary Roach explores and describes with fascinating details many of aspects of supporting life in space, leading up to the open-ended question of whether the pursuit of human life on Mars is worth it.

While I could do with less of Roach's humorous quips (there seemed to be more this time around than I remembered in Stiff), I'm grateful for the efforts she puts into these stories of science. Man, science is so cool.

[lschiff-742783 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The topic is interesting, but I found the book bizarrely boring.

[capewood · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A pretty good popular science book about space travel. I've not read anything by Roach before but I think she writes a regular newspaper column. She writes with a lot of humor as she tackles such subjects as how to identify astronauts through psychology tests who might be candidates for a years long trip and just how to weightless toilets work. I had seen her on "The Daily Show" and went out to find the book.

[guide2_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very entertaining view of spaceflight and the many quirks/interesting facts related to it.

[judygibson-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a funny book on a serious subject. I enjoyed it though there are large portions you should probably not read while trying to eat. I now have a healthy respect for gravity.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

adult nonfiction; scientific narratives. Mary Roach returns with all the weird/off-color questions you wouldn't normally get answers from. Interesting and humorous, though probably not appropriate for those who are easily offended.

[multiplexer-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 stars is, alas, the most stars I can give this book. But I give it an extra imaginary star just for good measure.

What can I say about a book that, in concise and funny verbiage, examines some of the worst parts of a mission to Mars? Things you never, ever think about? How do clothes get washed? What happens if you have to go to the bathroom? What about food particles? G-forces? Can you jump out of a crashing space lander? How much food does it take for a two year manned mission? Can you have sex in zero-G? And really, how do they design the toilets?

And more. I loved Mary Roach's previous books but this one is the best of all of them. If you are interested in manned space flight at all, this book is incredibly educational. And it will make you really think about the engineering of getting human beings to Mars.

Absolutely recommended. Brisk, fun, educational read. Available on the Kindle.

[ssperson_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars

Interesting book with Roach's signature humor. Be prepared for lots and lots of talk about bodily functions, because they are REALLY important in space travel.

[charlotteburt · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Everything you ever wanted to know about space travel and more from . She asks the questions most other folks either wouldn't think of or wouldn't dare. Funny, informative and a fairly easy read to boot.