Rocketeers: How a Visionary Band of Business Leaders, Engineers, and Pilots is Boldly Privatizing Space – Inside the Race with Branson, Bezos, and Pioneers of Commercial Spaceflight

by Michael Belfiore

“That this story is still unfolding makes it especially exciting to read. These men are still in their workshops, tinkering their way into orbit.” —David Gelles, FORBES On June 21, 2004, SpaceShipOne , built by aircraft designer Burt Rutan, entered space and ushered in the commercial space age. Investment capital began to pour into the new commercial spaceflight industry. Richard Branson’s VirginGalactic plans to ferry space tourists out of the atmosphere. Las Vegas hotelier Robert Bigelow is developing the world’s first commercial space station (i.e., space hotel). These space entrepreneurs, including Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen and Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, now see space as the next big thing. In Rocketeers , Michael Belfiore goes behind the scenes of this nascent industry, capturing its wild-west, anything-goes flavor. Likening his research to “hanging out in the Wright brothers’ barn,” Belfiore offers an inspiring and entertaining look at the people who are not afraid to make their bold dreams a reality. “The commercial space race is heating up so fast you need a cheat sheet to keep track of all the billionaires and gamblers vying to be the first private entrepreneur to blast paying customers into orbit. [Belfiore] does a stellar job introducing an intriguing cast of characters.” —Mark Horowitz, Wired “The privatization of space travel is an essential step toward realizing our cosmic destiny. In his engaging, highly readable Rocketeers, Michael Belfiore tells the fascinating story of the entrepreneurs who have already made it happen.” —Buzz Aldrin “A riveting, you-are-there account of how this ragtag collection of innovative thinkers, brave pilots, and bold visionaries is—right now—launching one of the most exciting new industries in history. Belfiore’s eloquent writing and exhaustive reporting really bring this mysterious, secretive world to life.” —Eric Adams, Popular Science

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Space, Technology, History, Business

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Michael Belfiore is an author, journalist, and speaker on the innovations shaping our world. He has written about game-changing technologies for the New York Times, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Smithsonian, Air & Space, Financial Times, and other outlets. He is an International Aerospace Journalist of the Year Award finalist.

Michael has appeared as a commentator on the Fox Business Network, Bloomberg Radio and TV, CNN, CTV’s Canada AM, NPR’s Marketplace and Morning Edition, Showtime’s Penn & Teller: BS!, and C-SPAN. He has delivered his message of change to audiences at Noblis, Medtronic, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Rutgers University, and other organizations.

Michael lives in New York’s Hudson River Valley with his two daughters.

Reviews

[David Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good, though I feel like I could be more critical. My unique perspective into the back story of this book makes me want to read more...

[Justin J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It’s fun to read this 2007 book in the year 2023. Seeing how the early pioneers were portrayed and commented on where I had to google to see what actually happened to them now. It’d be neat to write an update.

[Brendan Ruther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that explores many different rocket stories I had never heard of. In 2002 there was the X-prize. Peter Diamandis a wealthy dude created this 10 million dollar prize for anyone who could get 3 people commercially into orbit. In 2004 SpaceShipOne entered the space age by putting the first manned commercial craft into space. Burt Rutan started this company. He is a really interesting person who loves solving difficult puzzles and wasn’t in it for the money or the adventure. This book also discusses Richard Branson and his plans for space tourism. He envisions his suborbital plane taking more frequent flights. Also a wealthy hotel owner Robert Bigelow from LA wants to build a space hotel. This book also brings up the importance of commercialized space and the competition and initiative it brings to exploration.

[Carolina Liechtenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! Fearless people crock!

[Mario Cerqueira]

a real good look into the struggle for private space flight.

[Jonathan Jeckell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recent history of the fever of commercial space ventures of various types, mostly focusing on the 2000s. This was an easy and exciting read (too bad some of the companies discussed still haven't done much since the book was published, with the exception of SpaceX), but made no effort at all to conceal the author's excitement and biases on the topic. His heart is on his sleeve throughout the book where he uncritically gushes with hero worship on each of these space entrepreneurs. And I can't help but feel the same way most of the time. A little critical thought and some keen questions might have made the book more useful, if less fun. It also veered into the biographical more than I generally prefer. While I admire what these guys are doing, I am not terribly interested in their personal lives. That said, I learned a lot about many of these programs, which is saying a lot, because I have gleaned every shred of information I could find on these companies and their programs long before picking up this book. It contains a lot of behind-the-scenes information on the development programs, and how different commercial and government entities are reacting to these changes.

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was interesting and is something that tells the possible start of a new form of aviation - astrovation maybe?!? Its more of the progress to where the space industry is at and will be heading in the future. An emerging industry and possibly something that will be changing the face of humanity. For the novice I'd say this is a gentle intro into the future history of the private space industry. It was averagely written but the stories are inspiring for people wanting to get into the industry.
I'm personally a fan of historical science and the stories being how things came about in space, science and technology. So it was definitely worth a read.
It reminded me of the book "Five Equations that changed the world" which explains the histories behind equations such as the laws of thermodynamics, e=mc^2 and other vital equations but - was the private space industry.

[Joe Davoust · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would've given this five stars but for the fact that instead of a single narrative, it read like many disjointed magazine articles. As such there were several places in the book where the same facts or anecdotes were repeated as if we hadn't just read them in a previous chapter. Other that that gripe, it was a good read that brought to light the beginnings of the commercial space industry. Combined with a little Wikipedia and internet research on the current state of the industry and it's surviving companies, I got an exciting picture of reaching space in the post-NASA era.

[Meri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though it's already a little out of date, this is an encouraging look at the budding industry of private space travel. Belfiore covers a wide range of "rocketeers," from Virgin tycoon Richard Branson to a few guys working out of someone's garage. There's still very little to write on the subject, though I hope, as Belfiore does, that we'll see manned private space missions in my lifetime and there will be enough material for a longer sequel.

[Robert Geraci · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm in the beginning stages of a research project on privatized spaceflight and this book was a terrific primer. it introduces key groups, economic interests, and scientific possibilities in an enjoyable and reasonably comprehensible way. it tends toward some pretty fierce cheerleading, but authors are allowed to take a stance--especially in popular texts--and i didn't mind belfiore's enthusiasm at all. this was a good book and will be valuable to anyone interested in contemporary spaceflight.

[John Carter McKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A starry-eyed journalist's account of the entrepreneurial space scene as of the middle of the last decade, just as the XPrize hype cycle was beginning to trend down. A good read, bearing in mind there aren't any deep insights into the serial failures of non-bureaucratic space efforts. It's not great history, but it's not too shallow, either.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

As other's pointed out, it is a little out of date now. But most of the players in the book are still around and you can check out launches, successes and failures on YouTube.

I enjoyed the book and it got me excited for the new space race.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cutting edge info on space entrepreneurs. Combines autobiographical info with speculations about the future impact of privately owned and operated space travel.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

x prize and all, wow! what the world can do if we set out to do Good!

[Nuno Goncalves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring. Makes you want to go out there and chase the stars, reading some of these initiatives in commercialized space travel. Definitely gives me some hope for all human-kind.