Spacefarers

A Telegraph Best Science Book of the Year

"Nerdily engaging (and often funny) Technology and science fiction enthusiasts will find much here to delight them. [Wanjek] is a sensible skeptic, yet also convinced that, in the long run, our destiny is among the stars."
-The Guardian

"Adds an important perspective to the conversation about our future in space."
-Science

"If the events of this year have had you daydreaming about abandoning the planet entirely, Spacefarers is a geekily pleasurable survey of the practicalities and challenges."
-The Telegraph

It's been over fifty years since Apollo 11 landed on the moon. So why is there so little human presence in space? Will we ever reach Mars? And what will it take to become a multiplanet species, colonizing the solar system and traveling to other stars?

While many books have speculated on the possibility of living beyond the Earth, few have delved into the practical challenges or plausible motives for leaving the safe confines of our home planet. Spacefarers introduces us to the engineers, scientists, planners, dreamers, and entrepreneurs who are striving right now to make life in space a reality.

While private companies such as SpaceX are taking the lead and earning profits from human space activity, Christopher Wanjek is convinced this is only the beginning. He predicts we will have hotels in low-earth orbit, mining and tourism on the Moon, and science bases on Mars—possibly followed (gravity permitting) by full-blown settlements.