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Moon Rush: The New Space Race
Veteran space journalist digs into the science and technology--past, present, and future--central to our explorations of Earth's only satellite, the space destination most hotly pursued today.
In these rich pages, veteran science journalist Leonard David explores the moon in all its facets, from ancient myth to future "Moon Village" plans. Illustrating his text with maps, graphics, and photographs, David offers inside information about how the United States, allies and competitors, as well as key private corporations like Moon Express and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, plan to reach, inhabit, and even harvest the moon in the decades to come.
Spurred on by the Google Lunar XPRIZE--$20 million for the first to get to the moon and send images home--the 21st-century space race back to the moon has become more urgent, and more timely, than ever. Accounts of these new strategies are set against past efforts, including stories never before told about the Apollo missions and Cold War plans for military surveillance and missile launches from the moon. Timely and fascinating, this book sheds new light on our constant lunar companion, offering reasons to gaze up and see it in a different way than ever before.
In these rich pages, veteran science journalist Leonard David explores the moon in all its facets, from ancient myth to future "Moon Village" plans. Illustrating his text with maps, graphics, and photographs, David offers inside information about how the United States, allies and competitors, as well as key private corporations like Moon Express and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, plan to reach, inhabit, and even harvest the moon in the decades to come.
Spurred on by the Google Lunar XPRIZE--$20 million for the first to get to the moon and send images home--the 21st-century space race back to the moon has become more urgent, and more timely, than ever. Accounts of these new strategies are set against past efforts, including stories never before told about the Apollo missions and Cold War plans for military surveillance and missile launches from the moon. Timely and fascinating, this book sheds new light on our constant lunar companion, offering reasons to gaze up and see it in a different way than ever before.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2019
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1101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 12, 2021
Start with the historic version of events leading to the Apollo moon landings. Add interesting facts along the way. Add a survey of where we stand today, with other countries’ moves toward the moon, as well as new private corporations. Conjecture a little. You end up with a nice little book on the state of humanity’s moon exploration and plans for exploitation. I’d put the expiration on this book at about ten years, when enough has changed to require a rewrite. As I haven’t read much on space travel in decades, I found this a nice, mostly uplifting update.
May 24, 2019
Moon Rush is a book that opens my eyes to the immense potential of the moon. The moon's soil has a element called Helium 3. This can be a source of nuclear power, and this means that a settlement can be established on the moon. Every piece of information fascinates me in this book. I am curious to learn how water can be extracted from the moon. I am also curious about hydrogen and oxygen can be extracted from water to create rocket fuel. I am equally curious to learn how uranium and thorium can be extracted, and what they are used for. I think both of these things can be made into alternative sources of energy. All of this information makes me want to learn more about the moon and do my own research. I learned how valuable moon rocks are. Leonard David points that simple moon rocks are worth up to almost one million dollars.
A gateway space station is being developed that will enable human beings to live and work on the moon for up to 90 days at a time. A moon elevator is also in the works. It starts on the surface of the moon and goes into space. This invention would make moon experiments easier and quicker to do. It would also be fascinating to drink a glass of water that came out of the moon. It would probably be purer like any water on earth. These are amazing innovations, and I love Leonard David's optimism. But, I also appreciate the information he shares about the negative aspects of the moon. Lunar dust is toxic to the lungs is all around the moon's surface. Radiation from solar flares can be equally deadly to people. I learned so much about the moon because of this book.
A gateway space station is being developed that will enable human beings to live and work on the moon for up to 90 days at a time. A moon elevator is also in the works. It starts on the surface of the moon and goes into space. This invention would make moon experiments easier and quicker to do. It would also be fascinating to drink a glass of water that came out of the moon. It would probably be purer like any water on earth. These are amazing innovations, and I love Leonard David's optimism. But, I also appreciate the information he shares about the negative aspects of the moon. Lunar dust is toxic to the lungs is all around the moon's surface. Radiation from solar flares can be equally deadly to people. I learned so much about the moon because of this book.
December 4, 2019
Apparently we have been trying to return to the moon for the last 30 to 40 years and I didn't even know it. It was recently discovered that there may be ice within permanently shadowed regions of the lunar surface, potentially providing a source of water, oxygen, and rocket propellant. Harvesting these and other resources may help to transform the moon into a training and testing site as well as a jumping-off point for further space exploration.
An enlightening read that cover the moon's past and future.
An enlightening read that cover the moon's past and future.
September 15, 2019
Quite an in-depth look at humans' travels to the Moon and back, and what we hope to accomplish in the (near and not-so near) future.
Did you know there are still sealed samples from the Apollo missions locked up at NASA, just waiting for newer technology to emerge so we can study them in new ways (p.88)? Or have you ever considered just how much of a challenge it was to engineer a flag that could withstand the heat of the Moon but still appear to be flying (with no atmosphere) (p.92)?
Leonard David talks about the beginnings of NASA, the Cold War's impact of space exploration, and various countries' attempts (both successful and unsuccessful) to get to the Moon. He looks at plans we had and have, including the US Air Force's two plans to 1) complete an operational base on the Moon by June 1969 and/or 2) have a permanently manned post on the Moon in early 1968 (p.61). But David doesn't just focus on the US and NASA's accomplishments. He covers the Soviet Union's Luna 9 ('the first spacecraft to pull off a lunar soft landing' p. 64), the Zond seris of spacecraft (#5 of which 'carried the first life-forms from Earth around the Moon and back again', including '[t]wo tortoises, worms, flies, seeds, plants, and bacteria' (p.65), and the Lunokhod 1 rover from 1970,which was 'the first successful robotic lunar rover' (p.65).
David tells the reader about non-country-specific issues, such as latency when driving the rovers remotely.
David whizzes through a quick overview of the Mercury and Gemini missions, which were instrumental in establishing space travel for humans. He also touches on future plans, such as the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, "an orbiting space where people can live, learn, and work around the Moon", which, if it's set up as designed, should act in a similar vein to the ISS, albeit smaller and except being Moon-specific, and host astronauts for 30- to 90-day stints (p.140). David discusses the market that the Moon may become, especially with regard to rare earth elements and helium-3 (p.156). Who can stake a claim? How can we mine the water on the Moon efficiently? Could we potentially move manufacturing to the moon to ease greenhouse emissions here on Earth, since its atmosphere makes it 'a natural ultrahigh-vacuum environment' (p.159)? Could we harness the solar power accessible on the Moon for Earth, and if so, how could we transfer it back here efficiently (p.160)? David says Japan seems to have a plan in that regard. David also touches on the space elevator, which has been batted around for years if you follow astrophysics and the like; the tether system would be over 155,000 miles, with solar cars, but can we put the gravitational pull between the Moon and Earth to use to achieve it (p.161)? Even if we solve that puzzle, what would we make it with? Graphene comes to mind, as David mentions, but ultimately, it'll probably be a mix not seen before (p.162), perhaps made initially for this purpose but that will be put to use in space for years to come. And the return on investment here? How long till the elevator pays for itself, as it were?
David touches on the potential for museums/historical sites on the Moon, with regard to such sites as the Apollo 11's landing site (though I believe recent news has said China found no trace of the landing site on their last trip) (p.93). He briefly mentions a few of the private labels who are exploring space (or perhaps exploring exploring space), such as Musk, Bezos, and Bigelow. Bigelow is working on habitable modules, which will definitely be needed shortly after we make headway on return trips to the Moon and elsewhere in space. David mentions the unfortunately anticlimactic Google Lunar XPRIZE competition, where several were contenders, but eventually no one won. And he rounds out the final few pages with a discussion on the legal issues that are impacting (and will impact) Moon exploration and possible habitation.
Definitely a fascinating read. Don't wait till we head back to the Moon to grab a copy.
**Note: I read the Advance Reader's Edition from my library**
Did you know there are still sealed samples from the Apollo missions locked up at NASA, just waiting for newer technology to emerge so we can study them in new ways (p.88)? Or have you ever considered just how much of a challenge it was to engineer a flag that could withstand the heat of the Moon but still appear to be flying (with no atmosphere) (p.92)?
Leonard David talks about the beginnings of NASA, the Cold War's impact of space exploration, and various countries' attempts (both successful and unsuccessful) to get to the Moon. He looks at plans we had and have, including the US Air Force's two plans to 1) complete an operational base on the Moon by June 1969 and/or 2) have a permanently manned post on the Moon in early 1968 (p.61). But David doesn't just focus on the US and NASA's accomplishments. He covers the Soviet Union's Luna 9 ('the first spacecraft to pull off a lunar soft landing' p. 64), the Zond seris of spacecraft (#5 of which 'carried the first life-forms from Earth around the Moon and back again', including '[t]wo tortoises, worms, flies, seeds, plants, and bacteria' (p.65), and the Lunokhod 1 rover from 1970,which was 'the first successful robotic lunar rover' (p.65).
David tells the reader about non-country-specific issues, such as latency when driving the rovers remotely.
David whizzes through a quick overview of the Mercury and Gemini missions, which were instrumental in establishing space travel for humans. He also touches on future plans, such as the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, "an orbiting space where people can live, learn, and work around the Moon", which, if it's set up as designed, should act in a similar vein to the ISS, albeit smaller and except being Moon-specific, and host astronauts for 30- to 90-day stints (p.140). David discusses the market that the Moon may become, especially with regard to rare earth elements and helium-3 (p.156). Who can stake a claim? How can we mine the water on the Moon efficiently? Could we potentially move manufacturing to the moon to ease greenhouse emissions here on Earth, since its atmosphere makes it 'a natural ultrahigh-vacuum environment' (p.159)? Could we harness the solar power accessible on the Moon for Earth, and if so, how could we transfer it back here efficiently (p.160)? David says Japan seems to have a plan in that regard. David also touches on the space elevator, which has been batted around for years if you follow astrophysics and the like; the tether system would be over 155,000 miles, with solar cars, but can we put the gravitational pull between the Moon and Earth to use to achieve it (p.161)? Even if we solve that puzzle, what would we make it with? Graphene comes to mind, as David mentions, but ultimately, it'll probably be a mix not seen before (p.162), perhaps made initially for this purpose but that will be put to use in space for years to come. And the return on investment here? How long till the elevator pays for itself, as it were?
David touches on the potential for museums/historical sites on the Moon, with regard to such sites as the Apollo 11's landing site (though I believe recent news has said China found no trace of the landing site on their last trip) (p.93). He briefly mentions a few of the private labels who are exploring space (or perhaps exploring exploring space), such as Musk, Bezos, and Bigelow. Bigelow is working on habitable modules, which will definitely be needed shortly after we make headway on return trips to the Moon and elsewhere in space. David mentions the unfortunately anticlimactic Google Lunar XPRIZE competition, where several were contenders, but eventually no one won. And he rounds out the final few pages with a discussion on the legal issues that are impacting (and will impact) Moon exploration and possible habitation.
Definitely a fascinating read. Don't wait till we head back to the Moon to grab a copy.
**Note: I read the Advance Reader's Edition from my library**
June 17, 2019
I’ve been a science fiction fan practically forever, but my love of science fiction led me to want to know the real story of our solar system. For years, the definitive view of the American space program has been Maury Chakin’s book From the Earth to the Moon, which is a detailed look at the Apollo missions (it’s worth a read, by the way).
But now, as we approach the fiftieth anniversary of that historic first moon landing, we are looking at the moon in a new light: as a possible launch pad for missions to Mars and eventually beyond.
In Moon Rush, science journalist Leonard David reminds of of the history we have the moon, but also guides us toward the future, discussing science and technology in terms that are not simplistic but also don’t require that one be an actual rocket scientist to comprehend.
One thing I appreciated was that David highlighted the differences between NASA’s plan for our closest satellite (and possible sister planet) and the way private companies are looking at the new space race. Twenty-first century technology isn’t limited to government sources, and this book addresses the very real possibility of a privatized moon. How would that look? What could happen.
More importantly, though, David’s writing retains the one thing all we space buffs share: a sense of hope and wonder. Moon Rush is about science and technology in space, yes, but it’s also about possibility.
Goes well with: mango-peach iced tea, sliced apples, and sharp cheddar cheese.
But now, as we approach the fiftieth anniversary of that historic first moon landing, we are looking at the moon in a new light: as a possible launch pad for missions to Mars and eventually beyond.
In Moon Rush, science journalist Leonard David reminds of of the history we have the moon, but also guides us toward the future, discussing science and technology in terms that are not simplistic but also don’t require that one be an actual rocket scientist to comprehend.
One thing I appreciated was that David highlighted the differences between NASA’s plan for our closest satellite (and possible sister planet) and the way private companies are looking at the new space race. Twenty-first century technology isn’t limited to government sources, and this book addresses the very real possibility of a privatized moon. How would that look? What could happen.
More importantly, though, David’s writing retains the one thing all we space buffs share: a sense of hope and wonder. Moon Rush is about science and technology in space, yes, but it’s also about possibility.
Goes well with: mango-peach iced tea, sliced apples, and sharp cheddar cheese.
December 31, 2020
Mission Control, we have a problem...
I hated this book because, despite it being filled with some interesting facts, the book had no overall structure and therefore was really difficult to follow. For much of the time, this book felt less like a book and more like a giant listicle, where fact followed fact.
I also think that this book does not really live up to what it promises. The secondary title promises to tell the reader about the "New Space Race," but most of the book is about the old space race and the development of the Apollo program. The book is also focused almost entirely on America, just one side in the new space race. China, Japan and the EU are hardly mentioned, even though they are part of this new space race (and featured on the book's cover).
This book is an example of another science writer who knows nothing about writing.
I hated this book because, despite it being filled with some interesting facts, the book had no overall structure and therefore was really difficult to follow. For much of the time, this book felt less like a book and more like a giant listicle, where fact followed fact.
I also think that this book does not really live up to what it promises. The secondary title promises to tell the reader about the "New Space Race," but most of the book is about the old space race and the development of the Apollo program. The book is also focused almost entirely on America, just one side in the new space race. China, Japan and the EU are hardly mentioned, even though they are part of this new space race (and featured on the book's cover).
This book is an example of another science writer who knows nothing about writing.
April 24, 2023
"The first Lunar missions were designed for space exploration, the new ones must be designed for space exploitation."
This quote sums up the main idea behind "Moon Rush." I'm not saying that this is necessarily wrong, but it does color the arguments in the book - even when it deals with criticisms of the same idea.
David's book is interesting in parts, if always very superficial, but that's about all there is to say about it that is positive. The first half or so is 1) a very brief discussion on the creation of the moon and what it is and may offer, and 2) a retelling of the first phase of moon exploration and the situation as it stands today. Thus the book only covers "The New Space Race" for about half of its (already short) length.
And, honestly, even that half is underwhelming.
This quote sums up the main idea behind "Moon Rush." I'm not saying that this is necessarily wrong, but it does color the arguments in the book - even when it deals with criticisms of the same idea.
David's book is interesting in parts, if always very superficial, but that's about all there is to say about it that is positive. The first half or so is 1) a very brief discussion on the creation of the moon and what it is and may offer, and 2) a retelling of the first phase of moon exploration and the situation as it stands today. Thus the book only covers "The New Space Race" for about half of its (already short) length.
And, honestly, even that half is underwhelming.
July 18, 2019
Veteran space journalist Leonard David looks at the moon . . . the myths, the theories, the aspirations, the future . . . as the fiftieth anniversary of the first manned lunar landing approaches. Illustrated with both photographs and artists’ renderings, the narrative examines lunar exploration from the days of the Cold War space race to the plans for returning to the moon. Readers can examine plans for returning and staying in light of current strategies and private industry efforts. Previously-untold Apollo mission tales juxtaposed with Cold War military plans offer readers an eerie foreshadowing of plans for a Space Force.
A bibliography for further reading is included.
Highly recommended.
A bibliography for further reading is included.
Highly recommended.
July 10, 2022
3.5 stars.
Leonard David's book is one part history, one part theory. The first half deals with the world's rush to land on the moon, and the second half explores the possibilities that come with mining its resources and colonizing it. All of this is interesting, but the book is a shallow exploration of these ideas. It's enough to give you a cursory idea of what a realistic (albeit incredibly optimistic) vision of the future is, particularly when it comes to mining moon ice and setting up lunar bases. Still, it doesn't explore these issues in any depth.
Leonard David's book is one part history, one part theory. The first half deals with the world's rush to land on the moon, and the second half explores the possibilities that come with mining its resources and colonizing it. All of this is interesting, but the book is a shallow exploration of these ideas. It's enough to give you a cursory idea of what a realistic (albeit incredibly optimistic) vision of the future is, particularly when it comes to mining moon ice and setting up lunar bases. Still, it doesn't explore these issues in any depth.
February 18, 2024
Moon Rush is a short book giving a very limited history of Moon research and exploration in what seems to be an attempt to put forward the argument for humans returning to the Moon. The first half of the book is mostly about the Apollo program and its wonderful achievements. There is not a lot about the negative aspects of that program. There are examples of finding water ice on the moon and how that will be a plus for colonizing the moon.
A lot of junk was left on the Moon. Leonard writes that “A total of 190 tons of cultural material was left on the Moon.” There is a group that wants to go back to the Moon so that humans can build a museum and fill it with all the junk. It is called the “Lunar Legacy Project.”
The author also talks about the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE.) This probe was sent to study the lunar atmosphere. It’s work was “deemed essential before sustained human exploration of the Moon substantially alters it.” “...rocket exhaust and fumes from spacecraft landers could easily change its composition - a loss for space scientists.”
Despite the negative aspects (which are not emphasized) the book is very gung-ho on returning humans to the Moon. The later chapters all applaud the billionaire civilians who want to go back to the Moon. The author references Jeff Bezos Blue Origin company, Elon Musk's SpaceX company, and James Bigelow (and his Aerospace Company which has since gone defunct.) He also mentions James Bridenstine, the 13th NASA administrator. At the time of the writing of the book Donald Trump was president and appointed that completely useless guy. Since then he has been replaced by a more suitable and appropriate administrator in Bill Nelson.
The book is pretty outdated and there are no notes on any of the things Mr. David writes about. Most of the dates envisioned for projects that have been started for getting to the Moon have been delayed by many years. Some have been abandoned entirely.
All in all this book was just OK. I liked that it reminded me of some of the things that happened in the past concerning the Moon and I liked the pretty pictures. I grew up in the Apollo years and my dad actually worked in a clean room when the astronauts were playing around up there. However, the book did not satisfy my wish to understand more and it certainly didn’t convince me that we should waste more billions of dollars putting humans on the Moon in the near future..
A lot of junk was left on the Moon. Leonard writes that “A total of 190 tons of cultural material was left on the Moon.” There is a group that wants to go back to the Moon so that humans can build a museum and fill it with all the junk. It is called the “Lunar Legacy Project.”
The author also talks about the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE.) This probe was sent to study the lunar atmosphere. It’s work was “deemed essential before sustained human exploration of the Moon substantially alters it.” “...rocket exhaust and fumes from spacecraft landers could easily change its composition - a loss for space scientists.”
Despite the negative aspects (which are not emphasized) the book is very gung-ho on returning humans to the Moon. The later chapters all applaud the billionaire civilians who want to go back to the Moon. The author references Jeff Bezos Blue Origin company, Elon Musk's SpaceX company, and James Bigelow (and his Aerospace Company which has since gone defunct.) He also mentions James Bridenstine, the 13th NASA administrator. At the time of the writing of the book Donald Trump was president and appointed that completely useless guy. Since then he has been replaced by a more suitable and appropriate administrator in Bill Nelson.
The book is pretty outdated and there are no notes on any of the things Mr. David writes about. Most of the dates envisioned for projects that have been started for getting to the Moon have been delayed by many years. Some have been abandoned entirely.
All in all this book was just OK. I liked that it reminded me of some of the things that happened in the past concerning the Moon and I liked the pretty pictures. I grew up in the Apollo years and my dad actually worked in a clean room when the astronauts were playing around up there. However, the book did not satisfy my wish to understand more and it certainly didn’t convince me that we should waste more billions of dollars putting humans on the Moon in the near future..
December 3, 2019
It's fun to see the pictures, interesting to learn basic history of the moon missions, and whimsical to imagine the different futures of the moon. If you are interested in our space ventures, it's a fairly short read, with some images, on a subject closer to home than Mars and faraway space travel.
I found the language and writing smooth and easy to read during most of the factual portions, but a lot of it was too wordy in my opinion.
I was not familiar with any advantages to putting bases or settlements on the moon, other than as a test run and because it's cool (and better space imaging), so I enjoyed all the portions that explained the possibilities of mining etc—in other words, ways to make all the effort and money a viable investment. I've love to see some progress on that front.
And I would love more pictures.
I found the language and writing smooth and easy to read during most of the factual portions, but a lot of it was too wordy in my opinion.
I was not familiar with any advantages to putting bases or settlements on the moon, other than as a test run and because it's cool (and better space imaging), so I enjoyed all the portions that explained the possibilities of mining etc—in other words, ways to make all the effort and money a viable investment. I've love to see some progress on that front.
And I would love more pictures.
August 26, 2019
I found this to be a very readable and interesting explanation of why we should be devoting resources. It does devote quite a lot of space to the still-in-progress development of Helium-3 fusion, which would probably be a huge benefit to lunar development if it works, and without major side effects. There's also a bit of hopeful speculation about lunar resources.
On the other hand, the book does a great job of suggesting the directions that space exploration could go, benefiting from a lunar springboard, and shows why several nations are working lunar exploration now.
It's not a super-deep book, but is an excellent overview.
On the other hand, the book does a great job of suggesting the directions that space exploration could go, benefiting from a lunar springboard, and shows why several nations are working lunar exploration now.
It's not a super-deep book, but is an excellent overview.
August 9, 2019
This work is very timely, set to capture present excitement and interest. It summarizes the past efforts to visit the moon and how this relates to present endeavors. I understood the technical details and history, but perhaps that is why I did not feel like it contained anything novel. It serves as a good, "present day" summary, but I did not walk away thinking that this veteran journalist has learned things that I have not.
February 20, 2020
We should go back to the Moon. This book is a nice explanation as to why we should go back. Our way forward is to the Moon and beyond. Great work Mr. David. By starting out with the history of Moon exploration was a great way to keep me interested. I watched the Moon lading in '69 in my Grandfathers home and in the '70s I always hoped we would go back after Apollo 17. We need to return and I feel this book gives a solid argument as to why we need too.
October 20, 2021
This is well written and a good summary of what is happening currently in colonizing the Moon. It also goes into the history of going to the moon including the Apollo missions and Japan's worthy efforts. The author also covers Blue Horizons and SpaceX.
I was happy with the coverage and I might read this book again.
I was happy with the coverage and I might read this book again.
November 8, 2021
The author's outright simping for President Trump's unrealized plans for a return to the moon were extremely off-putting. This did not age well, even in a small handful of years. The factual reporting of past missions was a highlight here. The areas where opinions and conjecture were included had an unreasonable amount of bias.
November 27, 2021
Though this book is not totally lacking in virtue, I find it really hard to recommend. While I'm giving it three stars for the factual content, between the demise of the Trump Administration, the hammer blows of COVID, and rising hostility with China, this feels like the vision of a future that is dead on arrival.
January 15, 2022
Well written, easy, and quick, but only the second half is dedicated to the future of space exploration. The rest of it is a history of the first space race. There isn't much dwelling on what potential problems there are about colonizing the moon, and I was hoping for more philosophical commentary on the social implications. Really a 3.5 stars for me!
February 27, 2022
Interesting and insightful this tells us a lot about what we need moving forward and what we can gain from a permanent return to the moon. I think it’s silly he doesn’t explain the reasons why an environmentalism movement on the moon doesn’t make any sense, but other than that. Good reasons and issues on going.
August 6, 2019
Great book that covers science in a simple to understand way. Written so high school students should easily digest this if they are looking for information and middle schoolers if they are interested in the subject will be able to understand also.
June 14, 2022
More than half of this is history about the Apollo missions. Either way this layman accessible introduction does a pretty good job of covering several considerations about future missions to the moon.
I hope we do see advances in this area sooner rather than later.
I hope we do see advances in this area sooner rather than later.
July 4, 2023
An argument about the pros of going back to the moon and the benefits it could have to science and commercially, the main negative is it doesn't talk about the opposition much and only mentions it at the end. Also talks about a lunar base/ refuelling center
March 10, 2020
Great book! Lots of information and history about our hopes and dreams to get back to the moon. Lots of exciting things coming in the future!!
September 5, 2020
7 out of 10
February 24, 2022
Few exciting discoveries for me.
September 11, 2022
Inoffensive cheerleading and indeed really cheered me up.
July 25, 2023
Starts with history details to newer developments and includes details through the whole book
August 8, 2019
I enjoyed Leonard David’s latest book, Moon Rush: The New Space Race. His story synthesizes a succinct review of the past, the present, and what is to come, with respect to exploration, and soon, the exploitation of our tidally-locked Moon.
The run-up to the first landing on the Moon was described with the Ranger, Surveyor, Lunar Orbiter, and Genesis programs, all conducted by the United States during the 1960s as a reaction to the Soviet launching of Sputnik and in response to the challenge issued by President Kennedy to place a man on the moon before the end of the 1960 decade. David includes the efforts of the Soviets in also trying to reach the Moon.
I especially liked the update on where we are today, and the progress made during the 2010s to better characterize the lunar environment. Both GRAIL and LADEE were presented. They were two orbiting missions that characterized the Moon’s variable gravitational field and thin atmosphere, respectively. GRAIL’s ability to map the Moon’s uneven gravity field, ensures future spacecraft can navigate with greater precision to make pinpoint landings. LADEE detected small amounts of water in the exosphere, conceivably a hint about the water cycle that may fill perpetually dark craters at the poles with water ice over billions of years. LADEE also found that meteoroid strikes increase the abundance of sodium and potassium gases within the Moon’s atmosphere. On the Moon, the environment is essentially like that of a vacuum.
A Return to the Moon
Today, a new Moon race has begun. India, China, the European Union, Russia, and the Americans are all shooting for the Moon. Most are also considering reaching Mars too. Many concepts that David reviewed included orbiting lunar stations and surface colonies, with a focus on industrial exploitation to ensure private funding arrives to make these concepts a reality.
George Sowers, retired from United Launch Alliance, testified before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, in September 2017. He pointed out that space resources are plentiful and made the assertion that utilizing them will free human progress from the resource constraints of Earth. Sowers argued that space resource utilization in the near future will follow the agricultural revolution of 10,000 years ago and the industrial revolution of 300 years ago to further increase human wellbeing and prosperity.
David concludes, bullish that a return to the Moon is inevitable: “That return will be historically comparable to the movement of our species out of Africa about 150,000 years ago. If led by an entity representing the democracies of the Earth, our return to the Moon will rejuvenate the foundations of self-government that continue to enhance human well-being.”
Enjoy the read!
The run-up to the first landing on the Moon was described with the Ranger, Surveyor, Lunar Orbiter, and Genesis programs, all conducted by the United States during the 1960s as a reaction to the Soviet launching of Sputnik and in response to the challenge issued by President Kennedy to place a man on the moon before the end of the 1960 decade. David includes the efforts of the Soviets in also trying to reach the Moon.
I especially liked the update on where we are today, and the progress made during the 2010s to better characterize the lunar environment. Both GRAIL and LADEE were presented. They were two orbiting missions that characterized the Moon’s variable gravitational field and thin atmosphere, respectively. GRAIL’s ability to map the Moon’s uneven gravity field, ensures future spacecraft can navigate with greater precision to make pinpoint landings. LADEE detected small amounts of water in the exosphere, conceivably a hint about the water cycle that may fill perpetually dark craters at the poles with water ice over billions of years. LADEE also found that meteoroid strikes increase the abundance of sodium and potassium gases within the Moon’s atmosphere. On the Moon, the environment is essentially like that of a vacuum.
A Return to the Moon
Today, a new Moon race has begun. India, China, the European Union, Russia, and the Americans are all shooting for the Moon. Most are also considering reaching Mars too. Many concepts that David reviewed included orbiting lunar stations and surface colonies, with a focus on industrial exploitation to ensure private funding arrives to make these concepts a reality.
George Sowers, retired from United Launch Alliance, testified before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, in September 2017. He pointed out that space resources are plentiful and made the assertion that utilizing them will free human progress from the resource constraints of Earth. Sowers argued that space resource utilization in the near future will follow the agricultural revolution of 10,000 years ago and the industrial revolution of 300 years ago to further increase human wellbeing and prosperity.
David concludes, bullish that a return to the Moon is inevitable: “That return will be historically comparable to the movement of our species out of Africa about 150,000 years ago. If led by an entity representing the democracies of the Earth, our return to the Moon will rejuvenate the foundations of self-government that continue to enhance human well-being.”
Enjoy the read!
August 21, 2019
A comprehensive guide, for now
This book details the history, and probable future of Lunar exploration and development. It is meant for the interested amateur, covering a moderately broad expanse of the subject.
This book details the history, and probable future of Lunar exploration and development. It is meant for the interested amateur, covering a moderately broad expanse of the subject.
June 11, 2019
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Moon Rush: The New Space Race by Leonard David talks about the history of man getting to the moon and suggests a path forward to the satellite which we, for all intents and purposes, abandoned. Mr. David is a space & science journalist with a long and distinguished career behind him and the 2010 winner of the prestigious National Space Club Press Award.
I’ve read several books about the race to the moon and the moon landing, the subject fascinates me and I still get excited watch the 1969 video of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing the Eagle. While I’m not as knowledgeable as many other enthusiasts, I certainly do enjoy the subject and a big supporter of the space program in general.
Moon Rush: The New Space Race by Leonard David is a bit different than other books about the space program which I read (First Man and Magnificent Desolation among them, the latter signed by the man himself), as it makes a case to for the future of lunar exploration.
The book starts with a short section about the mythologies about the moon, from Greek to Egyptian and other cultures. Next is another brief chapter trying to encompass the enormous effort behind the space program which succeeded in landing men on the moon, and bringing them back safely to Earth. Another short section brings the reader through post moon landing history and up to where we stand today.
In the main part of the book, the author states that the race to the moon is back on, only that this time it is about commercial entrepreneurship. The Trump Administration has made it a goal to return to the lunar surface by the year 2024 and start on building a long-term presence there.
A government-private sector international alliance is building up to make this happen despite the many challenges which Mr. David brings up in a section which I found most fascinating (issues like lunar dust seems to be a major obstacle).
This fascinating book is easy to read and well organized. The author included fascinating pictures, charts, maps, and rendering of the moon, vehicles and other related subjects.
Moon Rush: The New Space Race by Leonard David talks about the history of man getting to the moon and suggests a path forward to the satellite which we, for all intents and purposes, abandoned. Mr. David is a space & science journalist with a long and distinguished career behind him and the 2010 winner of the prestigious National Space Club Press Award.
I’ve read several books about the race to the moon and the moon landing, the subject fascinates me and I still get excited watch the 1969 video of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing the Eagle. While I’m not as knowledgeable as many other enthusiasts, I certainly do enjoy the subject and a big supporter of the space program in general.
Moon Rush: The New Space Race by Leonard David is a bit different than other books about the space program which I read (First Man and Magnificent Desolation among them, the latter signed by the man himself), as it makes a case to for the future of lunar exploration.
The book starts with a short section about the mythologies about the moon, from Greek to Egyptian and other cultures. Next is another brief chapter trying to encompass the enormous effort behind the space program which succeeded in landing men on the moon, and bringing them back safely to Earth. Another short section brings the reader through post moon landing history and up to where we stand today.
In the main part of the book, the author states that the race to the moon is back on, only that this time it is about commercial entrepreneurship. The Trump Administration has made it a goal to return to the lunar surface by the year 2024 and start on building a long-term presence there.
A government-private sector international alliance is building up to make this happen despite the many challenges which Mr. David brings up in a section which I found most fascinating (issues like lunar dust seems to be a major obstacle).
This fascinating book is easy to read and well organized. The author included fascinating pictures, charts, maps, and rendering of the moon, vehicles and other related subjects.
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