Mankind Beyond Earth: The History, Science, and Future of Human Space Exploration

By Claude A. Piantadosi

Seeking to reenergize Americans’ passion for the space program, the value of further exploration of the Moon, and the importance of human beings on the final frontier, Claude A. Piantadosi presents a rich history of American space exploration and its major achievements. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming national command of our manned program and continuing our unmanned space missions, and he stresses the many adventures that still await us in the unfolding universe. Acknowledging space exploration’s practical and financial obstacles, Piantadosi challenges us to revitalize American leadership in space exploration in order to reap its scientific bounty. Piantadosi explains why space exploration, a captivating story of ambition, invention, and discovery, is also increasingly difficult and why space experts always seem to disagree. He argues that the future of the space program requires merging the practicalities of exploration with the constraints of human biology. Space science deals with the unknown, and the margin (and budget) for error is small. Lethal near-vacuum conditions, deadly cosmic radiation, microgravity, vast distances, and highly scattered resources remain immense physical problems. To forge ahead, America needs to develop affordable space transportation and flexible exploration strategies based in sound science. Piantadosi closes with suggestions for accomplishing these goals, combining his healthy skepticism as a scientist with an unshakable belief in space’s untappedand wholly worthwhilepotential.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Release date: Jan 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9780231531030

Reviews for Mankind Beyond Earth

[shrike58 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In an era when there has been a revival of straight-up space fiction (see Andy Weir and "James Corey") there is a place for the sort of real-life examination of what is actually involved in space exploration, and that is where this book comes in. The author, a medical professional who started his career dealing with the survival issues facing U.S. Navy divers, knows a great deal about the environmental limits facing human existence; probably a little too much for most readers! That said I found the science here to be very informative and I really only mark this book down on the grounds that while Piantadosi has polemical issues to push, particularly in terms of an early return to the Moon in regards to what is "doable" (as opposed to making a near-term push for Mars), it would have been nice if he had been a little more systematic in terms of laying out his vision as constrained by the current limits of our technology and knowledge.

[blehner_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With Mankind Beyond Earth Claude A. Piantadosi presents a different focus among the multitude of books on space exploration. Emphasizing the importance of first returning to the Moon before even thinking about taking the big leap towards Mars, some may think the book offers a much too prudent approach, but does it really?Not just reiterating historic events, but drawing a vivid picture of how space travel draws from eg polar science, which is one of the grandparents of space exploration, the author comes to the conclusion that despite what it may look like, a coherent plan for human space travel has not been developed yet. Obviously traveling into outer space does not allow much leeway when it comes to errors and bringing feasibility of future space exploration on par with the limits of human biology is a crucial point. Thus we must continue to learn and what better way than settling up on Earth's natural satellite which would offer the chance for habitat development before attempting interplanetary missions? With robotic missions well under way, we are certainly taking the first step, but it's a fragile balance not just of scientific research, but politics as well as economic considerations.Highly engrossing and accessible even for those who aren't science nuts, I thoroughly enjoyed this book which does not simply draw castles in the sky, but conveys a wonderful combination of sound science with a sense for adventure!In short: Captivating tract on the importance of space exploration!