Space 2069: After Apollo: Back to the Moon, to Mars, and Beyond Paperback – 8 July 2021

Interesting ideas and predictions

VERY INTERESTING BOOK FOR SPACE GEKS.

Never knew we have sent so much to The Moon and Mars. Its quite thought provoking that who-ever "controls" "Space" will no doubt have "World Dominance" and have an upper hand in terms of Miltary.

I found this book very informative, it paints a very vivid picture of what could happen looking into the future of space flight travel. I found out a lot about the moon, rocket design and planning reading through the pages.

The blurb I read states: "Science journalist David Whitehouse - with his 'reporter's gift for uncomplicated storytelling' (Financial Times) - presents a mind-expanding tour of humanity's future in space over the next 50 years." Sadly, this doesn't quite match what I read. This book mostly focuses on what we've done, what we're doing now (and planning for the next few years), and what we know, where I would have liked much more information on potential missions and what we'll be aiming to find out. It's a decent read, but doesn't live up to expectations.My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

I really enjoyed the read; it's a really accessible text which encourages you to research outside of the book. It all flows nicely and I especially enjoyed the part about the challenges of space travel. Dropped by one star only due to I found the text slightly small.

Very informative

A Good look to future missions , easy to read.

Following a speculative chapter of what human involvement in space exploration might be like at the centenary marking mankind’s first steps on the lunar surface, the author looks at the promises and the pitfalls of the space program after the glory days of Apollo. Lack of support and the tragic loss of two space shuttles seemed to ring a death-knell for the American space program.And yet, the Artemis Project aims to land on the moon by 2024. The establishment of a lunar base would be the next logical step in man’s progression beyond the home planet. There's a strong focus on where we've been and what we've learned, a vital component of planning for future missions. Knowing what worked, what didn't, and what we've discovered creates a solid foundation for building those new missions.A review of the findings from several lunar probe missions provides information on the moon, helping pave the way for that base, a base that will be destined to be a firm reality by 2069.Beyond the moon, Mars beckons. Humans settled on the red planet, also a firm reality by 2069.But there are several nations involved in space exploration; several corporations and several men have stepped into the arena, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. What might these other nations, these corporations, these men mean to the programs ultimately developed for the human exploration of space? What have we learned from the probes and surveyors we’ve sent to Mars? How have the rovers changed what we understand about the red planet? Life on the moon or on Mars would be far different from life on Earth . . . no trees, no grass, just a bleak, red Martian or grey lunar landscape.What physiological and psychological effects will need addressing before undertaking missions that will send astronauts into space for extended lengths of time or will have humans establishing settlements on the moon or Mars? Will we mine asteroids or visit the moons of the other planets of our solar system?Beyond Mars lie Jupiter and Saturn, the gas giants, and Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants. Will they call to explorers? What have we learned from space probes and surveyors?What of Mercury and Venus or of celestial visitors like comets? How will they fit into the plan of space exploration? By 2069, what decisions will affect man’s steps into the solar system . . . and beyond? Will there be humans who have never lived on man’s home planet?Take a solar system tour and speculate on the future of man in space.A section of color pictures is included.Highly recommended.