An Outline of Topics in Space Exploration
Introduction
Space Exploration and Its Purposes
Status
Future
History
Astronomy
Space Age
Major Issues
Manned vs Unmanned
Earth-Moon vs Solar System
Benefits vs Costs
Big Missions vs Better-Faster-Cheaper
Controversial Issues
Militarization
Nationalism
Politics
Costs
Near-Earth Object (NEO) Protection
Sources
Reading List
Links at www.aoe.vt.edu/~chall/spacelinks
Chris Hall, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech
chall@aoe.vt.edu, (540) 231-2314
Reading List
William E. Burrows, This New Ocean: The Story of the First Space Age, Random House, New York, 1998. “This
New Ocean is most distinguished by the successful integration of three different story lines: manned space
flight, the militarization of space and space science.” – New York Times Book Review
Lawrence M. Krauss, The Physics of Star Trek, Basic Books, New York, 1995. “The Physics of Star Trek
deserves merit for providing a refresher course on topics such as relativity and antimatter, but let's face it:
the reason most people will want to read this book is simply that it's fun to poke holes in the premises of
their favorite science fiction shows!” – Amazon.com
John S. Lewis, Mining the Sky: Untold Riches from the Asteroids, Comets, and Planets, Addison-Wesley, Reading,
Massachusetts, 1996. “A science fiction writer's research manual describing existing space technology that
could be used to mine the galaxy for Earth's energy, mineral resource, and food needs. Lewis (Codirector,
NASA, U. of Arizona Space Engineering Research Center) makes a convincing case for balancing
research and economic necessity by proposing strategies to extract oxygen from lunar rocks, harness the
natural hydrogen and helium of the gas giant planets to power fusion reactors, and create space vehicles
from hollowed out asteroids. His argument rests on the proposition that space exploration is not just an
expensive hobby but also a source of tremendous business opportunity.” – Book News, Inc.
Walter A. McDougall, …the Heavens and the Earth: A Political History of the Space Age, Basic Books, New York,
1985. “Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in History for 1986, this highly acclaimed study approaches the space
race as a problem in comparative public policy. Drawing on exhaustive research, author and ORBIS
editor Walter A. McDougall examines U.S., European, and Soviet space programs and their politics.” –
Amazon.com
Frederick I. Ordway III and Randy Liebermann (editors), Blueprint for Space: Science Fiction to Science Fact,
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., 1992. “A profusely illustrated (73 color, 91 b&w)
history of space travel and the idea of space travel, from dream (ancient cave pictographs) to imagination
(Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, et al.) to reality (the evolution of rocketry, the Apollo II moon landing, NASA's
plans for the future).” – Book News, Inc.
Carl Sagan, Cosmos, Random House, New York, 1980. A beautiful book about humanity’s place in the
universe. The author opposed manned space missions, but later said about The Case for Mars: “Bob
Zubrin really, nearly alone, changed our thinking on this issue.”
Carl Sagan et al, Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record, Ballantine Books, New York, 1978. Another
Sagan classic, written with 5 other authors, describing the selections included on “gold record” payload of
the Voyager spacecraft, such as the sound of Tim Ferris kissing Ann Druyan on the cheek, Blind Willie
Johnson’s “Dark Was the Night,” and the Queen of the Night Aria from Mozart’s Magic Flute.
Paul B. Stares, The Militarization of Space: U.S. Policy, 1945–1984, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York,
1985
Robert Zubrin, Entering Space: Creating a Space-Faring Civilization, Tarcher, Los Angeles, 1999. “The author
believes it is humanity’s destiny to inhabit other planets in our solar system and beyond. When you finish
Entering Space, you may be convinced as well.” – Kirkus Reviews
Robert Zubrin, The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must, Touchstone, New York,
1996. “...one of the most provocative and hopeful documents I have read about the space program in 20
years.” – New York Times Book Review
Chris Hall, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech
chall@aoe.vt.edu, (540) 231-2314