When The Heavens Went On Sale

When The Heavens Went On Sale by Ashlee Vance presents a riveting and thoroughly researched exploration into the ambitious private companies propelling the modern space race. From the award-winning author of the acclaimed biography of Elon Musk, this book delves deep into the emerging tech frontier that has shifted the epicentre of space exploration from NASA to Silicon Valley.

The narrative kicks off in 2008 when SpaceX, helmed by Elon Musk, achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first private company to build a cost-effective rocket capable of reaching orbit. This pivotal moment marked the dawn of a new era, one where space was no longer the exclusive domain of government agencies.

Ashlee Vance intricately documents the journeys of four pioneering companies - Astra, Firefly, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab. The author skillfully depicts their race to control the coveted access to Earth's lower orbit, as they endeavour to monetise this space by connecting, analysing, and monitoring vast aspects of our planet. These enterprises are less about space tourism, like the ventures of billionaires such as Bezos and Branson, and more focused on making space commercially viable in unexpected and transformative ways.

With unparalleled access to these companies' inner workings, Vance takes readers behind the scenes into private company headquarters, state-of-the-art labs, and ultra-secure launch sites spanning the globe – from the United States to New Zealand, Ukraine, and India. The account is vividly detailed, offering a glimpse into a world filled with private jets, eclectic communes, armed bodyguards, covert operations, and an array of characters - from multimillionaires to engineers - confronting colossal high-stakes challenges.

The book further elaborates on the dramatic episodes of success and peril, capturing moments of tension, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of seemingly impossible feats. It's a story brimming with instances of espionage investigations, tumultuous economic gambles, and the unyielding human spirit pushing boundaries.

This meticulous portrayal isn't just about technology and innovation; it's about the unraveling of a modern-day Wild West above the clouds. When The Heavens Went On Sale is not just a historical account of space exploration's new chapter; it poses critical questions about our future, the ownership of space, and the ethical implications of this unparalleled leap in human ambition.

With endorsements from literary figures such as Walter Isaacson, who calls it "one of the most exciting tales of our time", and Brad Stone, who praises it as "eloquent, expertly reported", Vance's narrative promises to captivate anyone intrigued by the intersection of technology, business, and the limitless sky.