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T-Space: Alpha Centauri #1
Alpha Centauri: First Landing
What else could go wrong?Franklin Drake’s six-ship expedition to Alpha Centauri is down to five ships. His injured lead exobiologist has been replaced by the backup . . . who is his second-in-command’s ex. And they haven’t even left the Solar system.The real headaches start when they reach their destination and lose another ship. Pushing on, they discover that their two target planets are far more Earth-like than they have any right to be. Almost as if they had been deliberately terraformed . . . millions of years ago. If they survive the hazards of the planet, what they find will lead Drake to a decision that could get him court-martialed when -- or if -- they return.First book in the completed Alpha Centauri trilogy, the prequel to the T-Space series.
- GenresScience Fiction
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2016
278 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 19, 2016
When a science fiction author decides to move his characters over interstellar distances he has several options. He can use a generational starship, and their descendants will exit the starship several generations later. He can use a starship that has the ability to travel at a significant percentage of light speed, and allow relativity effects to keep his travelers young, although this screws up the timelines of everyone who does not make the trip. Or, he can use a FTL drive – faster than light. Of course, this violates the laws of physics as we know them, and most SF authors simply ignore this; not Alastair Mayer, however. He uses the FTL ploy alright, but he gives it a physics justification that makes so much sense that the JPL may be studying his notes. This is real Hard Science Fiction.Any good story requires good guys and bad guys. The run-of-the-mill writers give you just that – good and bad guys; not Alastair Mayer, however. He sets things up so the Americans have a workable warp drive that creates a kind of warp bubble, but it cannot accommodate the smallest power source the Americans have. The Chinese, however, have developed a small fusion plant that fits into the warp bubble just fine, but they have not been able to figure out how to create a warp bubble. So they have to work together to get to Alpha Centauri – voila, good guys and bad guys.No spoilers here, but they arrive at Alpha Centauri, find two habitable planets – too habitable, perhaps. With this, Mayer sets up his special universe: T-space or Terraformed Space. It seems that someone, long ago, terraformed planets in an interstellar bubble surrounding Sol. Who and when is a mystery, and sets Mayer up for a continuing series of T-space novels, complete with an Indiana Jones kind of hero:
The Chara Talisman
and
The Reticuli Deception
to start, with more coming. This is great Hard Science Fiction.
May 30, 2017
Hard Science Fiction – with a bit of humor mixed in
In February (2017) NASA announced the discovery of 7 Earth-sized planets orbiting around a small star 40 light years away.
But what if NASA had found a couple of Earthlike planets, that almost certainly had some form of life, and they were only four light years away? And what if we had the technology to travel to those planets in just a week?
Alastair Mayer presents that scenario in Alpha Centauri: First Landing. After an American probe returns from Alpha Centauri with images of two planets, both having signs of life, the international interest in being the first country to step on a planet outside the Solar System is intense. The US and China each own a critical piece of the warp technology, and must share the technology (if not the secrets behind it) to build the ships to get there. Russia, India, and the Europeans all want to be part of the mission, too. But when the European spacecraft is out of commission before they even start, and they lose another ship along the way, aborting the mission is not a popular option. Commodore Drake must find a way to keep the mission together with diminished resources: 4 of the original 6 spaceships, limited equipment, and a reduced team.
Overcoming the challenges along the way and after their arrival, and the staggering implications of what they find, all make for a great story.
There are many things I like about this book, including the technical details and scientific accuracy. From Astrophysics to Zoology, and specialties in between: Botany, Evolution, Geology, Paleontology, and more, Mayer includes enough technical detail to make the expedition real, and does it without bogging down the plot or the action. There’s even a brief glossary at the end that explains some of the technology, and a few of the terms specific to Mayer’s T-Space.
This is a wonderful addition to Alastair’s T-Space series. I love his balance between science and humor, and I wish he would write faster so I didn’t have to wait so long to get my hands on the next one in the series, “Alpha Centauri: Sawyer’s World”.
In February (2017) NASA announced the discovery of 7 Earth-sized planets orbiting around a small star 40 light years away.
But what if NASA had found a couple of Earthlike planets, that almost certainly had some form of life, and they were only four light years away? And what if we had the technology to travel to those planets in just a week?
Alastair Mayer presents that scenario in Alpha Centauri: First Landing. After an American probe returns from Alpha Centauri with images of two planets, both having signs of life, the international interest in being the first country to step on a planet outside the Solar System is intense. The US and China each own a critical piece of the warp technology, and must share the technology (if not the secrets behind it) to build the ships to get there. Russia, India, and the Europeans all want to be part of the mission, too. But when the European spacecraft is out of commission before they even start, and they lose another ship along the way, aborting the mission is not a popular option. Commodore Drake must find a way to keep the mission together with diminished resources: 4 of the original 6 spaceships, limited equipment, and a reduced team.
Overcoming the challenges along the way and after their arrival, and the staggering implications of what they find, all make for a great story.
There are many things I like about this book, including the technical details and scientific accuracy. From Astrophysics to Zoology, and specialties in between: Botany, Evolution, Geology, Paleontology, and more, Mayer includes enough technical detail to make the expedition real, and does it without bogging down the plot or the action. There’s even a brief glossary at the end that explains some of the technology, and a few of the terms specific to Mayer’s T-Space.
This is a wonderful addition to Alastair’s T-Space series. I love his balance between science and humor, and I wish he would write faster so I didn’t have to wait so long to get my hands on the next one in the series, “Alpha Centauri: Sawyer’s World”.
May 30, 2017
When a science fiction author decides to move his characters over interstellar distances he has several options. He can use a generational starship, and their descendants will exit the starship several generations later. He can use a starship that has the ability to travel at a significant percentage of light speed, and allow relativity effects to keep his travelers young, although this screws up the timelines of everyone who does not make the trip. Or, he can use a FTL drive – faster than light. Of course, this violates the laws of physics as we know them, and most SF authors simply ignore this; not Alastair Mayer, however. He uses the FTL ploy alright, but he gives it a physics justification that makes so much sense that the JPL may be studying his notes. This is real Hard Science Fiction.
Any good story requires good guys and bad guys. The run-of-the-mill writers give you just that – good and bad guys; not Alastair Mayer, however. He sets things up so the Americans have a workable warp drive that creates a kind of warp bubble, but it cannot accommodate the smallest power source the Americans have. The Chinese, however, have developed a small fusion plant that fits into the warp bubble just fine, but they have not been able to figure out how to create a warp bubble. So they have to work together to get to Alpha Centauri – voila, good guys and bad guys.
No spoilers here, but they arrive at Alpha Centauri, find two habitable planets – too habitable, perhaps. With this, Mayer sets up his special universe: T-space or Terraformed Space. It seems that someone, long ago, terraformed planets in an interstellar bubble surrounding Sol. Who and when is a mystery, and sets Mayer up for a continuing series of T-space novels, complete with an Indiana Jones kind of hero: The Chara Talisman and The Reticuli Deception to start, with more coming. This is great Hard Science Fiction.
Any good story requires good guys and bad guys. The run-of-the-mill writers give you just that – good and bad guys; not Alastair Mayer, however. He sets things up so the Americans have a workable warp drive that creates a kind of warp bubble, but it cannot accommodate the smallest power source the Americans have. The Chinese, however, have developed a small fusion plant that fits into the warp bubble just fine, but they have not been able to figure out how to create a warp bubble. So they have to work together to get to Alpha Centauri – voila, good guys and bad guys.
No spoilers here, but they arrive at Alpha Centauri, find two habitable planets – too habitable, perhaps. With this, Mayer sets up his special universe: T-space or Terraformed Space. It seems that someone, long ago, terraformed planets in an interstellar bubble surrounding Sol. Who and when is a mystery, and sets Mayer up for a continuing series of T-space novels, complete with an Indiana Jones kind of hero: The Chara Talisman and The Reticuli Deception to start, with more coming. This is great Hard Science Fiction.
November 1, 2018
Alastair Mayer is the author of a series of space operas set in his "T-Space" universe. In Book 1 of his new series of prequels, humans have developed a faster-than-light warp drive, and are about to embark on their first interstellar flight to Alpha Centauri A and B, Earth's nearest neighbor stars.
Remote probes have discovered two earthlike planets, so people are anxious to explore them, although the warp drive technology is limited. Four of the five ships sent arrive safely, and the explorers find the planets are indeed very earthlike—suspiciously so, in fact.
Although some of the characters are wooden at times, First Landing is an exciting and enjoyable hard sci-fi adventure, in the vein of the Mars series by Kim Stanley Robinson.
Remote probes have discovered two earthlike planets, so people are anxious to explore them, although the warp drive technology is limited. Four of the five ships sent arrive safely, and the explorers find the planets are indeed very earthlike—suspiciously so, in fact.
Although some of the characters are wooden at times, First Landing is an exciting and enjoyable hard sci-fi adventure, in the vein of the Mars series by Kim Stanley Robinson.
June 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this hard science fiction novel. It is mostly absent of action, and primarily deals with themes of science, technical technique, relationships, and a bit about survival. I really appreciated the detail of how a multi-national science expedition to a previously unexplored (by Earth human) planet could be conducted.
The only issue I have is that matters of faith and religion are taken very lightly and are discarded as only the realm of fundamentalists and other people who don't think properly.
I did have a bit of a hard time following all of the characters. Some were developed more then others. That is pretty common for stories that have several characters that play a part.
The only issue I have is that matters of faith and religion are taken very lightly and are discarded as only the realm of fundamentalists and other people who don't think properly.
I did have a bit of a hard time following all of the characters. Some were developed more then others. That is pretty common for stories that have several characters that play a part.
May 11, 2018
Outstanding
Steve Cole using wife Leanna's account.
Great book, great read, solid science but not heavy handed. Very interesting take on how to organize and conduct an interplanetary expedition. A little bit of political intrigue as the only way to build the six ships is with a Chinese reactor the US wants to BUY and an American warp drive the Chinese want to STEAL. Interesting characters but too short to give them very much depth.
Good reminder that planets are big things and stuff can happen. They land in a river valley after carefully calculating that they are safe from a flood . . . then a hurricane blows in.
Steve Cole using wife Leanna's account.
Great book, great read, solid science but not heavy handed. Very interesting take on how to organize and conduct an interplanetary expedition. A little bit of political intrigue as the only way to build the six ships is with a Chinese reactor the US wants to BUY and an American warp drive the Chinese want to STEAL. Interesting characters but too short to give them very much depth.
Good reminder that planets are big things and stuff can happen. They land in a river valley after carefully calculating that they are safe from a flood . . . then a hurricane blows in.
July 29, 2017
Great Science Fiction. Well done tale of exploration
I was wary with so few reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. Obviously written by a fan of the masters of SF. No silly endless details of ridiculous space battles. Character development could be improved, but that's about all I can complain about. I finished it in one read and want more. A traditional take of space exploration. Bravo!
I was wary with so few reviews, but was pleasantly surprised. Obviously written by a fan of the masters of SF. No silly endless details of ridiculous space battles. Character development could be improved, but that's about all I can complain about. I finished it in one read and want more. A traditional take of space exploration. Bravo!
May 13, 2020
Unique and Interesting
Mayer's book presents a new and fascinting scenario! This book is definately one any science fiction fan, and seriously everybody, should read. Mayer's book presents a new perspective of the origin of life both on Earth and elsewhere. Read this book and then think about the possibilities he suggests. This book would make an interesting topic for a group discussion about life itself.
Mayer's book presents a new and fascinting scenario! This book is definately one any science fiction fan, and seriously everybody, should read. Mayer's book presents a new perspective of the origin of life both on Earth and elsewhere. Read this book and then think about the possibilities he suggests. This book would make an interesting topic for a group discussion about life itself.
June 14, 2025
Real Exploration Sci-Fi
Finally, a series with lots of exploration!
There are so many books about battles, war, and the like that it gets old.
I enjoyed reading about exploring the planets in the Alpha Centauri system and the challenges the explorers face. I look forward to the next books in the series!
Finally, a series with lots of exploration!
There are so many books about battles, war, and the like that it gets old.
I enjoyed reading about exploring the planets in the Alpha Centauri system and the challenges the explorers face. I look forward to the next books in the series!
June 5, 2017
Liked enough to buy book 2
Nothing new here but a good yarn about space exploration. Some suspension of disbelief required. Hope the second book does not turn out to be about war as we have enough of it on earth.
Nothing new here but a good yarn about space exploration. Some suspension of disbelief required. Hope the second book does not turn out to be about war as we have enough of it on earth.
November 20, 2017
That was quite dull, not bad but not good either. There was nothing in there to give me any particular interest in exploring the series further. I may revisit T-Space some day but I'll have to be very bored to do so.
December 26, 2025
Fast moving
Most new discovery books spend too much ink describing all the new "gee whiz" details of the new planet. This book keeps the plot moving fast, which is a nice change. Well written, interesting character interactions.
Most new discovery books spend too much ink describing all the new "gee whiz" details of the new planet. This book keeps the plot moving fast, which is a nice change. Well written, interesting character interactions.
April 24, 2019
A fine read with pure science fiction
Believable characters, decent plot and storyline, fluent writing makes this a fine read. I am looking forward to the next part in the series.
Believable characters, decent plot and storyline, fluent writing makes this a fine read. I am looking forward to the next part in the series.
January 1, 2020
Excellent
This is the type of sci-fi I love. Intelligent,educational and exciting. I'll continue with his next book!!! Glad I discovered this author.
This is the type of sci-fi I love. Intelligent,educational and exciting. I'll continue with his next book!!! Glad I discovered this author.
July 14, 2021
Hard, well-thought science fiction. Quite rare. Read it.
July 11, 2025
A fun read
This is a good SciFi tale with interesting characters and situations. The mix of politics and science seems about right for our place & time. I’ll finish this series.
This is a good SciFi tale with interesting characters and situations. The mix of politics and science seems about right for our place & time. I’ll finish this series.
July 27, 2025
Great read!
Well written opening chapter to a series I look forward to reading. Not you typical space opera but a great sci fi, near future read.
Well written opening chapter to a series I look forward to reading. Not you typical space opera but a great sci fi, near future read.
August 31, 2025
Must Read
Outstanding! Great read, not fake or unbelievable. Not like some sci-fi were its to hard to believe. Read it today.
Outstanding! Great read, not fake or unbelievable. Not like some sci-fi were its to hard to believe. Read it today.
December 21, 2025
It was a good read and had nice world development.
I would have liked some more on the science behind the statements.
It was a nice story and well developed.
I would have liked some more on the science behind the statements.
It was a nice story and well developed.
December 29, 2025
To keep it spoiler free - it was good enough to get the other books in the series. Entertaining without requiring intense concentration.
December 1, 2025
A good first landing book that had lots of realistic details and adventures. The characters could have used a bit more fleshing out. Lots of lead in to mysteries about the two planets found. A good read with lots of allusion to events in the earth that this takes place in
November 23, 2025
I'm late to the party so I was able to binge the trilogy. Five stars for all because I don't finish many books these days, let alone three in two days. I'm the queen of dnf and have barely even been trying lately, but the terrible cover was so bad it drew me in and I am so glad it did.
Read
April 30, 2017I didn't dislike it. The book became exciting for me near the end. I do plan to read part 2.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews