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Starship Century: Toward the Grandest Horizon
Starship Century: Toward the Grandest Horizon is an anthology by authors from both science and fiction writing backgrounds, illustrating some of the tech and ideology behind the illustrious goal of traveling to another star within the next century. Edited by Gregory Benford, New York Times bestselling science fiction author, and James Benford, leading expert on space propulsion, Starship Century: Toward the Grandest Horizon includes science fiction by Neal Stephenson, David Brin, Joe Haldeman, Nancy Kress, Stephen Baxter, Gregory Benford, John Cramer, Richard A. Lovett, and Allen Steele, as well as scientific articles by Stephen Hawking, Freeman Dyson, Robert Zubrin, Peter Schwartz, Martin Rees, Ian Crawford, James Benford, Geoffrey Landis, Paul Davies and Adam Crowl.
This groundbreaking anthology of science and science fiction is based on findings and discussions of the 100-Year Starship Symposium held in 2011. In it, top scientists tackle the opportunities for our long-term future in space. Alongside them, science fiction authors explore the dream and the possibilities.
About the Editors:
Starship Century: Toward the Grandest Horizon is edited by James Benford, leading expert on space propulsion, and Gregory Benford, New York Times Bestselling author of science fiction. Brothers and fellow scientists, in addition to serving as editors, both Benfords are represented in the anthology, alongside other leading scientists and writers, James Benford with “Sailships” and Gregory Benford with “Coda: Atmosphoera Incognita” and “The Man Who Sold the Stars”.
This groundbreaking anthology of science and science fiction is based on findings and discussions of the 100-Year Starship Symposium held in 2011. In it, top scientists tackle the opportunities for our long-term future in space. Alongside them, science fiction authors explore the dream and the possibilities.
About the Editors:
Starship Century: Toward the Grandest Horizon is edited by James Benford, leading expert on space propulsion, and Gregory Benford, New York Times Bestselling author of science fiction. Brothers and fellow scientists, in addition to serving as editors, both Benfords are represented in the anthology, alongside other leading scientists and writers, James Benford with “Sailships” and Gregory Benford with “Coda: Atmosphoera Incognita” and “The Man Who Sold the Stars”.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
16 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
James Benford
7 books2 followersJames Nelson Benford is a physicist, High-Power Microwave scientist, author, science-fiction writer, and entrepreneur. He is best known for introducing novel technological concepts and conjectures related to the exploration of outer space, among these the design of laser-driven sailships, the possible use of co-orbital objects (moon, asteroids) by alien probes to spy on earth, and the appraisal of technical and safety issues associated with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. His twin brother, Greg Benford, is also a science-fiction writer.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 26, 2019
The age of humans living on planet Earth is coming to an end. It might be due to global warming, an astroid strike, a nuclear war, a pandemic, the sun turning into a red giant, or some other disaster we cannot even fathom. Regardless of the cause, the fact is the earth will not remain a place for human habitation forever.
In 2011 a symposium was held to discuss how humans could build a ship capable of interstellar travel within the next hundred years. While this seems like a long way off, it is clear that the obstacles in the path of this expedition must be dealt with in small steps over many, many years.
An interesting principle of this symposium was the fact that Science Fiction writers often come up with thoughts on the obstacles to space exploration as well as proposals for how to solve them in more creative ways than the scientific community. Therefore the attendees included writers as well as scientists to explore the questions of why go, where to go, how to get there, what problems will need to be addressed, and what happens once we do get there.
I have been following the “race to space” for my entire life. I have read quite a number of books about both the science, as well as the science fiction, of space travel. Yet, many of the ideas about the difficulties of both building an interstellar rocket and the obstacles of space travel discussed in this book were totally new to me. Most of know something of the negative effects on the human body caused by living in zero gravity, the dangers posed by radiation outside of the protection of earth’s atmosphere, and the difficulties of creating an ecological environment aboard a spacecraft that will be stable for decades. However, how much do you know about the catastrophes that rapidly beset the test environment of Biosphere 2 or the fact that the “good” microbes in our bodies that we depend on for digestion mutate in space. The obstacles standing in the way of exploring other worlds, much less other solar systems, are daunting yet if we believe that the human race should continue they must be addressed and conquered.
Starship Century poses way more questions than it answers. As Isaac Asimov said, scientific discovery is less about eureka moments and more about the that’s odd ones. This book explores a lot of problems related to long term and long distance space flight along with far fewer answers of how to address them. Fortunately, scientists and science fiction writers keep coming up with answers. It took only sixty-six years from the first powered airplane flight till our landing on the moon. With scientific discoveries increasing exponentially, hopefully during the next hundred years we will find answers for the many issues raised in this book. Of course as the saying goes, “no bucks, no Buck Rogers” and the United States government isn’t funding the space program nearly as much as private enterprise. One of the largest questions not addressed in this book is whether we want to put the future of the human race in the hands of billionaire capitalists.
In 2011 a symposium was held to discuss how humans could build a ship capable of interstellar travel within the next hundred years. While this seems like a long way off, it is clear that the obstacles in the path of this expedition must be dealt with in small steps over many, many years.
An interesting principle of this symposium was the fact that Science Fiction writers often come up with thoughts on the obstacles to space exploration as well as proposals for how to solve them in more creative ways than the scientific community. Therefore the attendees included writers as well as scientists to explore the questions of why go, where to go, how to get there, what problems will need to be addressed, and what happens once we do get there.
I have been following the “race to space” for my entire life. I have read quite a number of books about both the science, as well as the science fiction, of space travel. Yet, many of the ideas about the difficulties of both building an interstellar rocket and the obstacles of space travel discussed in this book were totally new to me. Most of know something of the negative effects on the human body caused by living in zero gravity, the dangers posed by radiation outside of the protection of earth’s atmosphere, and the difficulties of creating an ecological environment aboard a spacecraft that will be stable for decades. However, how much do you know about the catastrophes that rapidly beset the test environment of Biosphere 2 or the fact that the “good” microbes in our bodies that we depend on for digestion mutate in space. The obstacles standing in the way of exploring other worlds, much less other solar systems, are daunting yet if we believe that the human race should continue they must be addressed and conquered.
Starship Century poses way more questions than it answers. As Isaac Asimov said, scientific discovery is less about eureka moments and more about the that’s odd ones. This book explores a lot of problems related to long term and long distance space flight along with far fewer answers of how to address them. Fortunately, scientists and science fiction writers keep coming up with answers. It took only sixty-six years from the first powered airplane flight till our landing on the moon. With scientific discoveries increasing exponentially, hopefully during the next hundred years we will find answers for the many issues raised in this book. Of course as the saying goes, “no bucks, no Buck Rogers” and the United States government isn’t funding the space program nearly as much as private enterprise. One of the largest questions not addressed in this book is whether we want to put the future of the human race in the hands of billionaire capitalists.
April 19, 2017
This book is a mixture of sci-fi short stories and scientific essays examining the possibility and probability of interstellar travel in the next two-hundred years. Propulsion systems are discussed in detail, as well as health, sociology and economic factors involved in the development of deep-space travel.
Some consideration is given to the Why? question of humans pursuing interstellar travel. Is it a question of ensuring survival of the human race? Or just the quest for discovery that is deeply ingrained in us?
The authors bet that before the end of this century one or more interstellar probes will on their way to the stars. The tri-star system of Centauri, at 4 lt-years from us is a primary target.
It's an excellent book for those of you interested in the topic.
Some consideration is given to the Why? question of humans pursuing interstellar travel. Is it a question of ensuring survival of the human race? Or just the quest for discovery that is deeply ingrained in us?
The authors bet that before the end of this century one or more interstellar probes will on their way to the stars. The tri-star system of Centauri, at 4 lt-years from us is a primary target.
It's an excellent book for those of you interested in the topic.
January 11, 2014
This is a great collection from awesome authors -- broad science and science fiction mix from a conference on building interstellar spacecraft. I found reading it really thought provoking and inpsiring. The hardcore science and physics was very good, but I must admit, some of the pieces were "rehash" science (I didn't see lots of new, but it is good to get it all together and laid out nicely). But Neal Stephenson's piece and Stephen Baxter's were both really awesome. It didn't hurt my appreciate at all that Stephenson's included sprites and superbolts as a main feature of the story (and that was my PhD thesis topic!
December 10, 2024
A really grand compilation of science fact and fiction, this book definitely set your sights on the big picture. The stories cover the scientific, societal, and psychological challenges of making it to the stars! A must read for science fiction and space enthusiasts as well.
December 24, 2022
That one day we will swarm out over the galaxy is a given. We are after all a species of explorers. Always have been and always will be.
This book outlines a few very interesting scenarios how we will conquer the next frontiers.
This book outlines a few very interesting scenarios how we will conquer the next frontiers.
April 30, 2020
This was a fascinating read. The mix of science and science fiction really stirs our imagination and allow us to dream a bit about a possible
The only issue, and it is a serious, are the numerous typos. There really was a spellchecking work that has not be done.
The only issue, and it is a serious, are the numerous typos. There really was a spellchecking work that has not be done.
May 21, 2014
Starship Century is a collection of science and science fiction focused on both what it would take to reach the stars and what it might be to journey on such voyages. It's writers include all-stars in both the and science fiction community. The articles are well thought out explorations of technologies, ranging from what we could achieve within decades, to more exotic technologies that, if possible, are potentially much further in our future. Most of the science discussed here is not new though; I have seen most of it in other online articles and magazines. The science fiction stories included between the non-fiction portions of the book expand on the ideas and put a human perspective on the concepts. Overall this is an inspiring collection that should make you walk out at night and long to reach for the stars.
All proceeds from this book go towards interstellar exploration research. More information can be found online at http://www.starshipcentury.com/ and http://2014.symposium.100yss.org/
March 29, 2021
Great book. More of a reference and some solid stories. I'm presently re-reading it as my bedside book.
December 29, 2014
Very interesting book on the state of the starship now and in the potential future.
June 7, 2015
the science fiction stories were weak, but the fact articles interesting.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews