Mankind Beyond Earth: The History, Science, and Future of Human Space Exploration

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Claude A. Piantadosi

Mankind Beyond Earth

The History, Science, and Future of Human Space Exploration

Claude A. Piantadosi

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English

Columbia University Press
06 January 2015

Mathematics & Sciences; Astronautics

Seeking to reenergize Americans' passion for the space program, the value of further exploration of the Moon, and the importance of human beings on the final frontier, Claude A. Piantadosi presents a rich history of American space exploration and its major achievements. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming national command of our manned program and continuing our unmanned space missions, and he stresses the many adventures that still await us in the unfolding universe. Acknowledging space exploration's practical and financial obstacles, Piantadosi challenges us to revitalize American leadership in space exploration in order to reap its scientific bounty.

Piantadosi explains why space exploration, a captivating story of ambition, invention, and discovery, is also increasingly difficult and why space experts always seem to disagree. He argues that the future of the space program requires merging the practicalities of exploration with the constraints of human biology. Space science deals with the unknown, and the margin (and budget) for error is small. Lethal near-vacuum conditions, deadly cosmic radiation, microgravity, vast distances, and highly scattered resources remain immense physical problems. To forge ahead, America needs to develop affordable space transportation and flexible exploration strategies based in sound science. Piantadosi closes with suggestions for accomplishing these goals, combining his healthy skepticism as a scientist with an unshakable belief in space's untapped-and wholly worthwhile-potential.

By: Claude A. Piantadosi
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 397g
ISBN: 9780231162432
ISBN 10: 023116243X
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 06 January 2015
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface A Short Introduction to the Science of Space Exploration Part 1: Hindsight and Foresight 1. Men and Machines 2. A Space Lexicon 3. The Explorers 4. Twentieth-Century Space 5. Back to the Moon Part 2: A Home Away from Home 6. Living off the Land 7. Round and Round It Goes ... Where It Stops 8. By Force of Gravity 9. The Cosmic Ray Dilemma 10. Tiny Bubbles Part 3: Where Are We Going? 11. The Case for Mars 12. Big Planets 13. New Stars Bibliography and Additional Reading Index

Claude A. Piantadosi MD is professor and director of the F. G. Hall Environmental Laboratory at Duke University. Educated at the University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he trained in undersea medicine and saturation diving in the U.S. Navy and in respiratory physiology and pulmonary medicine at Duke. He spent thirty years as a resource consultant to NASA. He is an author of more than three hundred scientific papers and The Biology of Human Survival: Life and Death in Extreme Environments.

Reviews for Mankind Beyond Earth: The History, Science, and Future of Human Space Exploration

An important book by a visionary with his feet planted on the ground.Kirkus ReviewsKirkus Reviews Kirkus Reviews 10/1/2012 Finally, a give-it-to-me-straight account of why space exploration matters. In Mankind Beyond Earth, Claude A. Piantadosi folds together science, politics, and culture to demonstrate why a civilization without a spacefaring future is doomed to extinction. -- Neil Degrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, American Museum of Natural History, author of Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier In this engaging book, Claude A. Piantadosi presents a concise and accurate history of how our nation's space program arrived at its current uncertain juncture, supplementing it with powerful insights into a wide range of fields, from planetary science to human physiology. This is a compelling work from a scientist committed to expanding the human exploration of our universe. -- Michael L. Gernhardt, NASA astronaut, manager of the Environmental Physiology Laboratory at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Recommended for readers intrigued by the real-life requirements of space exploration. Library Journal 1/1/2013 This nicely written volume will appeal to the general public and space enthusiasts who want to learn about the hazards of human space exploration. Choice June 2013 Piantadosi's goal throughout the book is to explain to the lay audience why spaceexploration is difficult and important. He achieves this first goal in a clear manner,very accessible to someone without a technical background. -- Lisa Messeri MetaScience October 2013