Space Exploration: All That Matters

All That Matters

by David Ashford

Amid a century devastated by war, space exploration was perhaps mankind's greatest achievement of the twentieth century. Yet remarkably, in a world where most technology progresses constantly, space exploration appears to have gone backwards. Man has not returned to the moon since 1972; the space shuttle programme has finished and not been replaced; much-vaunted promises of space tourism have not become realistic.

In this remarkable book, David Ashford looks back at the story of space exploration, identifying the factors that were a driving force behind the eye-catching programmes of the cold war, and showing how now new driving forces are needed. Using his own extensive experience as a practitioner and researcher of space exploration, Ashford then outlines a new, realistic roadmap for achieving the new space age soon and at an affordable cost.

This accessible and readable book will appeal both to students and general readers, giving a fascinating introduction to space exploration - and what matters most about it.

Genres: Science

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2013

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to space exploration and getting there, with spaceplane advocacy.

[Carlene Alexander · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this would be a book about the history of space exploration. Actually it is a book with the basic premise: if spaceplanes are built to be reusable the cost will come down, repeated ad nauseous.

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent introduction to, report of and game-plan for space exploration going forward.