The Case for Space: How the Revolution in Spaceflight Opens Up a Future of Limitless Possibility

Description

A noted space expert explains the current revolution in spaceflight, where it leads, and why we need it. A new space race has begun. But the rivals in this case are not superpowers but competing entrepreneurs. These daring pioneers are creating a revolution in spaceflight that promises to transform the near future. Astronautical engineer Robert Zubrin spells out the potential of these new developments in an engrossing narrative that is visionary yet grounded by a deep understanding of the practical challenges. Fueled by the combined expertise of the old aerospace industry and the talents of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, spaceflight is becoming cheaper. The new generation of space explorers has already achieved a major breakthrough by creating reusable rockets. Zubrin foresees more rapid innovation, including global travel from any point on Earth to another in an hour or less; orbital hotels; moon bases with incredible space observatories; human settlements on Mars, the asteroids, and the moons of the outer planets; and then, breaking all limits, pushing onward to the stars. Zubrin shows how projects that sound like science fiction can actually become reality. But beyond the how, he makes an even more compelling case for why we need to do this--to increase our knowledge of the universe, to make unforeseen discoveries on new frontiers, to harness the natural resources of other planets, to safeguard Earth from stray asteroids, to ensure the future of humanity by expanding beyond its home base, and to protect us from being catastrophically set against each other by the false belief that there isn't enough for all. Review: Zubrin Renews his Powerful Call for a Spacefaring Civlization - Back in 1996, Zubrin changed the way people saw space with The Case for Mars and his Mars Direct plan. NASA even based its mission on Mars Direct, and launched an impressive array of probes to Mars and throughout the Solar System. The latter has continued, but NASA reverted to its old ways in manned spaceflight — a new direction every time a new President is elected. A new "plan" guaranteed to go no where. Since Zubrin's first book there has been a change — the emergence of space companies operating outside the old government-space complex. Private spaceflight has finally arrived and the final frontier Zubrin has advocated for years finally has its door open again. The Moon and Mars are no longer so distant. Much of the Case for Space will be familiar to readers of Zubrin's other book, Entering Space. In fact, much of this book is simply an updated edition of that book. Part 1 of the book shows how we can conquer space; part 2 gives reasons why we must. There is much he writes here that all Earth citizens should carefully consider. One reason is for knowledge, which Zubrin predicates on large part around finding life in the universe. Like many, he believes there must be life because there are an uncountable amount of worlds out there. However, this "statistical fallacy" of what "must be" must give way to physics. Physics severely limits where life may exist, even basic life, to say nothing of advanced life. We can eliminate many — if not most of these worlds — from contention. Even these planets found in "habitable zones" aren't as promising as the term portrays. Being in the zone is not nearly enough. There are hundreds of narrow parameters that must be met (see Improbable Planet by Hugh Ross, The Privileged Planet by Guillermo Gonzalez). Should we feel alone and depressed because of this? No, and in fact, astronomy and spaceflight has answered many of the questions Zubrin poses in Chapter 9 on how it all started and the reasons for how it works the way it does. Instead of being just a "pale blue dot" alone randomly in a universe, it turns out that the universe is exactly as it must be for Earth to be as it is. That is, the universe was designed for us to be here. No other discovery is more impactful and thought provoking, and exploring the cosmos brought us there (see Why the Universe Is the Way It Is and The Creator and the Cosmos, both by Hugh Ross). Zubrin talks about fine-tuning, then derides design, only to muse on a possible "intelligence...responsible for the propagation and self-perfection" of the universe. He sees it, but won't let himself follow the evidence. Why? Because his naturalistic worldview - a universe driven by chance - says you must ignore the evidence and interpret everything through unguided forces - even if they don't exist. Zubrin admits as much in referring to evolution as being a "success" proving this. It has done no such thing even though the evangelists of naturalism tell us otherwise. Scientists have been lining up to speak of natural selection's failure to produce complexity and diverse life (Undeniable by Douglas Axe, Darwin Devolves by Behe, Foresight by Marcos N. Eberlin, Heretic by Matti Leisola, Origins of Life by Fuz Rana among others). We must continue to explore space for knowledge, but must cut the beliefs that cripple the wonder and discovery right in front us. And we must explore to protect us (from asteroids), to thrive (fusion and mineral resources), for freedom and to restore the promise of Apollo that was abandoned fifty years ago. The promise of a new time in human history. A time when we become a spacefaring civilization. Review: Guardiamo alle stelle. - Libro scientifico accurato e preciso anche se, come tutti i libri di questo tipo, alle prossime scoperte sarà obsoleto.