Entering Space: Creating a Spacefaring Civilization
Encyclopedia
Entering Space: Creating a Spacefaring Civilization is a nonfiction book by Robert Zubrin
, published in 1999.
The book details Zubrin's ambitious plans for space exploration
, with an eye towards colonization
. It starts with an overview of the current status of space exploration. It then goes into detail about exploration of the Moon, Mars, the outer solar system, and beyond. The book uses engineering and mathematical concepts that are explained in layman's terms.
development.
is mostly spent discussing nuclear fusion
. Zubrin explains that Helium-3
deposited on the moon by the solar wind could be an excellent fuel for nuclear fusion. Much of this chapter is spent discussing chemistry that would be vital to a moon base.
, a subject that is very important to Zubrin. Most of this chapter is a summary of what was covered in his book The Case for Mars
. Zubrin believes that Mars is the next great frontier, and that it can be reached for a (relatively) low price using his Mars Direct
plan.
Then he goes on to discuss the nuclear fusion fuel based economy for the outer solar system, as well as possibilities of settling Saturn
and Jupiter
's moons, especially Titan
. He also considers the Kuiper Belt Objects and the Oort Cloud
(the trans-Neptunian objects)
of alien planets and detection of alien life elsewhere in the galaxy.
Robert Zubrin
Robert Zubrin is an American aerospace engineer and author, best known for his advocacy of the manned exploration of Mars. He was the driving force behind Mars Direct—a proposal intended to produce significant reductions in the cost and complexity of such a mission...
, published in 1999.
The book details Zubrin's ambitious plans for space exploration
Space exploration
Space exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....
, with an eye towards colonization
Space colonization
Space colonization is the concept of permanent human habitation outside of Earth. Although hypothetical at the present time, there are many proposals and speculations about the first space colony...
. It starts with an overview of the current status of space exploration. It then goes into detail about exploration of the Moon, Mars, the outer solar system, and beyond. The book uses engineering and mathematical concepts that are explained in layman's terms.
Modern exploration
The first chapters of the book are dedicated to current and near-future space projects. Zubrin explains that exploration is part of human nature, and today's space projects are the modern equivalents of the ancient voyages of exploration. Zubrin then talks about his own experience in the aerospace industry. He mentions several modern projects, most notably the development of a Single-stage to orbit vehicle. More projects for the near-future are mentioned, including further space stationSpace station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
development.
The Moon
The chapter on the MoonMoon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
is mostly spent discussing nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is the process by which two or more atomic nuclei join together, or "fuse", to form a single heavier nucleus. This is usually accompanied by the release or absorption of large quantities of energy...
. Zubrin explains that Helium-3
Helium-3
Helium-3 is a light, non-radioactive isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron. It is rare on Earth, and is sought for use in nuclear fusion research...
deposited on the moon by the solar wind could be an excellent fuel for nuclear fusion. Much of this chapter is spent discussing chemistry that would be vital to a moon base.
Mars
This chapter discusses MarsMars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
, a subject that is very important to Zubrin. Most of this chapter is a summary of what was covered in his book The Case for Mars
The Case For Mars
The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must is a nonfiction science book by Robert Zubrin, first published in 1996....
. Zubrin believes that Mars is the next great frontier, and that it can be reached for a (relatively) low price using his Mars Direct
Mars Direct
Mars Direct is a proposal for a manned mission to Mars. Proponents of the scheme have claimed it to be both cost-effective and that it can be conducted with current technology. It was originally detailed in a research paper by NASA engineers Robert Zubrin and David Baker in 1990, and later expanded...
plan.
Asteroids and the outer solar system
The section of this book discussing asteroids tells the story of past impacts on Earth, and how to prevent future disasters. Zubrin mentions a mission he designed that could be used to deflect an asteroid.Then he goes on to discuss the nuclear fusion fuel based economy for the outer solar system, as well as possibilities of settling Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
and Jupiter
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...
's moons, especially Titan
Titan (moon)
Titan , or Saturn VI, is the largest moon of Saturn, the only natural satellite known to have a dense atmosphere, and the only object other than Earth for which clear evidence of stable bodies of surface liquid has been found....
. He also considers the Kuiper Belt Objects and the Oort Cloud
Oort cloud
The Oort cloud , or the Öpik–Oort cloud , is a hypothesized spherical cloud of comets which may lie roughly 50,000 AU, or nearly a light-year, from the Sun. This places the cloud at nearly a quarter of the distance to Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to the Sun...
(the trans-Neptunian objects)
Interstellar travel
The final chapters of the book are dedicated to advanced forms of propulsion and the future of humanity in space. Antimatter propulsion and solar sails are mentioned as means of interstellar travel. These chapters also cover the terraformingTerraforming
Terraforming of a planet, moon, or other body is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying its atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology to be similar to those of Earth, in order to make it habitable by terrestrial organisms.The term is sometimes used more generally as a...
of alien planets and detection of alien life elsewhere in the galaxy.
See also
- The Case for MarsThe Case For MarsThe Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must is a nonfiction science book by Robert Zubrin, first published in 1996....
- Mars SocietyMars SocietyThe Mars Society is an international space advocacy non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the human exploration and settlement of the planet Mars. It was founded by Robert Zubrin and others in 1998 and attracted the support of notable science fiction writers and filmmakers, including Kim...
- Colonization of TitanColonization of TitanSaturn’s orange moon Titan is one of several candidates for a possible future colonization of the outer solar system. There are many possible reasons for colonization, one of which is mining or collecting hydrocarbons which currently power much of Earth's machinery.-Natural resources:According to...