Ground Control: An Argument for the End of Human Space Exploration

by Savannah Mandel

In the 1960s and ’70s, America spent $20 billion dollars (around $150 billion in today's dollars) to land humans on the moon, and “win” the Cold War. And while man took his first steps on an extraterrestrial landscape, protests at Cape Canaveral Why waste money on space when there are so many issues here on Earth?
Fifty-one years later, an oligopoly of commercial space companies—SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic—has begun sending civilians into space. These civilians are the first generation of what will undoubtedly be an extensive family of space tourists. Commercial space companies aim to expand access to space, find new sources of energy, mine outer space resources, and conquer extraterrestrial lands. But their goals remain that of a capitalist and imperialist class, intent on new frontier profiteering.
Ground Control uses cultural anthropology to trace the trajectory of the commercial space industry as it faces the social, political, and economic repercussions of commercial space ventures head on. Drawing on the author’s research at Spaceport America and work in the commercial space industry, it offers an insider’s glimpse of the side of human space exploration not often put on display.
In doing so, it holds the space industry accountable for its actions by asking the same questions that counterculture leaders asked in the 1960 Should we go? Is it worth it—socially, politically, and economically—to send humans to space? What cultural outcomes will result from continued human space exploration and the colonization of other worlds? And lastly, what can we learn about our present selves by studying our most extreme visions of the future?

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Science

224 pages, Hardcover

Published July 16, 2024

Reviews

[Nikki]

The author makes a lot of great points, some of which I had never considered before. I think this is an important conversation for people in the meche/aerospace fields to have. However, I felt like the book was too long for the argument it presented. It felt padded by memoiristic details that (in my opinion) detracted from the argument. Maybe I've been brainrotted by 5.5 years surrounded by conservative-leaning engineering bros and their middle aged counterparts, but I think some of the personal details in this book were unnecessary and stereotyped the author as someone that people in the meche/aerospace industry might not take seriously (speaking as someone often not taken seriously). I was hoping to find a thought-provoking book I could recommend to my professors and peers, but I think this book would be better received by anthropologists than engineers.

[Sarah Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am incredibly excited for the release of this book in July! What a wonderful and eye opening concept by a phenomenal writer! I can’t wait to see what she publishes next!

[Ruth McAvinia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually agree with a lot of the arguments made in this book but they are so poorly substantiated and inexplicably mixed with a memoir of someone who hasn’t done very much yet that I was quite disappointed. I think they will probably write something very interesting in 15-20 years’ time but this definitely isn’t it.

[James Easterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If half stars existed I'd probably rate this book 3.5 stars. Just a reflection mostly of how much I liked the book itself. Points were made and taken regarding equity and decolonization, capitalistic intentions and nationalistic bents. I agree, but my take on this was missing. Ain't gonna happen folks. Colonizing space or looking for a new home out there won't happen for several reasons. Mostly we are not physically built for such an environment, and there is no where to go. This is it. We have no other home wherein we can long survive the rigors of time, long distance travel, or the or the highly harmful effects on our bodies. Who would go? Where? for how long? and How?! On the other hand, Robotics and probes are perfectly suited for such things. They are also cheaper and easier to send anywhere for any length of time. Think Voyager I and II. Plus they keep our intentions honest. They gather data, photos, collect samples, all of which we can analyze and learn about the universe and our place in it. This is what we should be doing. We are the eyes, the ears, and the consciousness of the universe. There is no plan B. Lets fix what we have here... and explore.

[Travis Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting read! I didn't know what to expect when I began the book, but what I found was an incredibly well-constructed argument. One does not have to agree with all the points, but they're all laid out solidly. I went into this read under the notion of, 'what on earth (pun intended) could be wrong with space travel?' Well, it takes an insider's perspective to break that down and fully support such points for or against. This read is what I love to call 'mind candy.' I'm glad I read it and it definitely opened up my mind and to question what our priorities truly should be. Excellent and truly well constructed!

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 1 out of 5]

In life there are few times when you feel that someone owes you. Having read the beginning of this book I'm going to send Ms.Mandel a bill for 4hrs @500=$2000.

After doing a little digging I found that the "publisher" of this book is what we used to call a "Vanity Press". In other words Mandel PAID some one to publish this book.

None of this explains why anyone would want to waste their time with it. I'll bet that her mother didn't read it.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly excited to read the arguments laid out in this book to decide if I agree or disagree with the supposed end of human space exploration. Agree to disagree on some of the arguments but nonetheless a great read to dive into if you are at all in tune with space travel and how/where we intend to go as a species.

[Maggie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait for this book to come out! This book should be on every syllabus, recommendation, and want to read list! It is clear that the author has truly spent the time, effort, and research to create a great book. I look forward to reading it :)

[Elizabeth J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great work that pushes people to look at space exploration a different way. Recommend you read it when it comes out and decide for yourselves which side of this debate you come down on.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books that I've ever read. There is no substantial argument against space exploration. This book is really an account of the author's very mediocre career in anthropology.