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Space 2069: After Apollo: Back to the Moon, to Mars, and Beyond
Half a century after Apollo 11 we have still not returned to the Moon, but that is about to change.
The thirteenth person to walk on the Moon could soon be part of a crew establishing a base on the lip of a crater at the lunar south pole.
The discovery of ice in the eternal shadows of the polar regions transforms our ability to live on the Moon. From bases on the Moon we can make the long, lonely and dangerous voyage to Mars, where there is also ice. The obstacles are many, not least the fragilities of the human body. And what type of world would the first Mars explorers find?
Science journalist David Whitehouse - with his 'reporter's gift for uncomplicated storytelling' (Financial Times) - presents a mind-expanding tour of humanity's future in space over the next 50 years.
The thirteenth person to walk on the Moon could soon be part of a crew establishing a base on the lip of a crater at the lunar south pole.
The discovery of ice in the eternal shadows of the polar regions transforms our ability to live on the Moon. From bases on the Moon we can make the long, lonely and dangerous voyage to Mars, where there is also ice. The obstacles are many, not least the fragilities of the human body. And what type of world would the first Mars explorers find?
Science journalist David Whitehouse - with his 'reporter's gift for uncomplicated storytelling' (Financial Times) - presents a mind-expanding tour of humanity's future in space over the next 50 years.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2020
20 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
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David Whitehouse
63 books10 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 16, 2020
The blurb I read states: "Science journalist David Whitehouse - with his 'reporter's gift for uncomplicated storytelling' (Financial Times) - presents a mind-expanding tour of humanity's future in space over the next 50 years." Sadly, this doesn't quite match what I read. This book mostly focuses on what we've done, what we're doing now (and planning for the next few years), and what we know, where I would have liked much more information on potential missions and what we'll be aiming to find out. It's a decent read, but doesn't live up to expectations.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
December 30, 2020
Following a speculative chapter of what human involvement in space exploration might be like at the centenary marking mankind’s first steps on the lunar surface, the author looks at the promises and the pitfalls of the space program after the glory days of Apollo. Lack of support and the tragic loss of two space shuttles seemed to ring a death-knell for the American space program.
And yet, the Artemis Project aims to land on the moon by 2024. The establishment of a lunar base would be the next logical step in man’s progression beyond the home planet. There's a strong focus on where we've been and what we've learned, a vital component of planning for future missions. Knowing what worked, what didn't, and what we've discovered creates a solid foundation for building those new missions.
A review of the findings from several lunar probe missions provides information on the moon, helping pave the way for that base, a base that will be destined to be a firm reality by 2069.
Beyond the moon, Mars beckons. Humans settled on the red planet, also a firm reality by 2069.
But there are several nations involved in space exploration; several corporations and several men have stepped into the arena, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. What might these other nations, these corporations, these men mean to the programs ultimately developed for the human exploration of space? What have we learned from the probes and surveyors we’ve sent to Mars? How have the rovers changed what we understand about the red planet? Life on the moon or on Mars would be far different from life on Earth . . . no trees, no grass, just a bleak, red Martian or grey lunar landscape.
What physiological and psychological effects will need addressing before undertaking missions that will send astronauts into space for extended lengths of time or will have humans establishing settlements on the moon or Mars? Will we mine asteroids or visit the moons of the other planets of our solar system?
Beyond Mars lie Jupiter and Saturn, the gas giants, and Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants. Will they call to explorers? What have we learned from space probes and surveyors?
What of Mercury and Venus or of celestial visitors like comets? How will they fit into the plan of space exploration? By 2069, what decisions will affect man’s steps into the solar system . . . and beyond? Will there be humans who have never lived on man’s home planet?
Take a solar system tour and speculate on the future of man in space.
A section of color pictures is included.
Highly recommended.
And yet, the Artemis Project aims to land on the moon by 2024. The establishment of a lunar base would be the next logical step in man’s progression beyond the home planet. There's a strong focus on where we've been and what we've learned, a vital component of planning for future missions. Knowing what worked, what didn't, and what we've discovered creates a solid foundation for building those new missions.
A review of the findings from several lunar probe missions provides information on the moon, helping pave the way for that base, a base that will be destined to be a firm reality by 2069.
Beyond the moon, Mars beckons. Humans settled on the red planet, also a firm reality by 2069.
But there are several nations involved in space exploration; several corporations and several men have stepped into the arena, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. What might these other nations, these corporations, these men mean to the programs ultimately developed for the human exploration of space? What have we learned from the probes and surveyors we’ve sent to Mars? How have the rovers changed what we understand about the red planet? Life on the moon or on Mars would be far different from life on Earth . . . no trees, no grass, just a bleak, red Martian or grey lunar landscape.
What physiological and psychological effects will need addressing before undertaking missions that will send astronauts into space for extended lengths of time or will have humans establishing settlements on the moon or Mars? Will we mine asteroids or visit the moons of the other planets of our solar system?
Beyond Mars lie Jupiter and Saturn, the gas giants, and Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants. Will they call to explorers? What have we learned from space probes and surveyors?
What of Mercury and Venus or of celestial visitors like comets? How will they fit into the plan of space exploration? By 2069, what decisions will affect man’s steps into the solar system . . . and beyond? Will there be humans who have never lived on man’s home planet?
Take a solar system tour and speculate on the future of man in space.
A section of color pictures is included.
Highly recommended.
December 19, 2024
I remember as a child both watching the Apollo missions on TV and consuming science fiction like 2001: A Space Odyssey. I guess I didn’t realize how much the US space program was driven by the Cold War. Once that was behind us there wasn’t much incentive to return to the moon let alone build a base there, or any in orbit. The Soviets had an advantage early on as they needed ICBMs more than the US did but their technological advantage eventually faded. Today the biggest threat to US dominance of low earth orbit and cislunar space is China, providing a new incentive to return to the moon. Unfortunately we have already seen the schedule slip, as this book, written in 2020, had the Artemis 2 mission set for 2022. This “Crewed Lunar Flyby” is now scheduled for 2026.
So what does Whitehouse envision by the centennial of the moon landing? After returning to the moon, a lunar base would best be located in the polar region where temperature extremes are not as great as elsewhere. And the presence of ice in that area means a base could be much more self-sustaining, as ice means not just the water all living things need to survive, but it can also be turned into rocket fuel, helping to access the rest of the solar system.
Previously I had read that a manned trip to Mars would take several years and I always thought this was an incredibly risky idea, as no one has lived on the International Space Station for much more than one year, with Earth close by in case of any kind of an emergency. A shorter trip will be important to minimize the crew’s exposure to space hazards, one of which will be deadly radiation. To reduce the trip time to Mars to a few months, nuclear thermal propulsion would be used. The concept dates back to 1973, but now because of proliferation dangers that design will have to be adapted to use low-enriched uranium. It will heat hydrogen to extreme temperatures, yielding much more efficiency, or “specific impulse,” and a faster ride.
Moving beyond Mars may be even more interesting. There are a number of asteroids that contain valuable quantities of iron, nickel, cobalt and platinum. Mining them could be the basis of a new space economy, giving real financial incentive to push out into the solar system. And some of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn have liquid water beneath the surface, kept above freezing by the flexing caused by gravitational effects. Everywhere on earth where there is liquid water, life is found. What will we find out there?
Hopefully NASA can stay on schedule and we get back to the moon, and beyond, starting in the next few years.
So what does Whitehouse envision by the centennial of the moon landing? After returning to the moon, a lunar base would best be located in the polar region where temperature extremes are not as great as elsewhere. And the presence of ice in that area means a base could be much more self-sustaining, as ice means not just the water all living things need to survive, but it can also be turned into rocket fuel, helping to access the rest of the solar system.
Previously I had read that a manned trip to Mars would take several years and I always thought this was an incredibly risky idea, as no one has lived on the International Space Station for much more than one year, with Earth close by in case of any kind of an emergency. A shorter trip will be important to minimize the crew’s exposure to space hazards, one of which will be deadly radiation. To reduce the trip time to Mars to a few months, nuclear thermal propulsion would be used. The concept dates back to 1973, but now because of proliferation dangers that design will have to be adapted to use low-enriched uranium. It will heat hydrogen to extreme temperatures, yielding much more efficiency, or “specific impulse,” and a faster ride.
Moving beyond Mars may be even more interesting. There are a number of asteroids that contain valuable quantities of iron, nickel, cobalt and platinum. Mining them could be the basis of a new space economy, giving real financial incentive to push out into the solar system. And some of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn have liquid water beneath the surface, kept above freezing by the flexing caused by gravitational effects. Everywhere on earth where there is liquid water, life is found. What will we find out there?
Hopefully NASA can stay on schedule and we get back to the moon, and beyond, starting in the next few years.
May 6, 2021
This book brought my back to the late 70s, as a 9-year-old on summer break, scouring the Mesa Library shelves for anything I could find on the planets. I relived the amazement of the Viking photos of Mars, of radar images from Venus and even stereo photos of the Martian surface. Knowledge since that time has taken extraordinary leaps and yet scarcely scratched the surface.
What I also remember from those books was the optimism of where we as a species would be by the 21st Century in terms of exploration, off-Earth habitation, etc. And that’s where this book went south for me.
Dreams of space exploration are one thing. But the political and fiscal reality surrounding the space program makes what the author describes unlikely ever to occur. Some challenges are technological, but the basic issue is the US Government has been attempting to eliminate NASA since Armstrong’s first step. There is no political will for lunar bases and such, certainly not enough will to be matched with dollars.
(The author mentioned Trump’s much hyped executive orders dealing with going back to the moon. Unmentioned is the reality that those orders weren’t backed up by budgets with the needed funding dollars.)
There are some other issues ... having just finished David Brown’s book “The Mission” about the Europa mission, this author’s summation of history and cost was flawed. Also, knowing there must be Google in England, it was grating to read “US House of Congress,” akin to saying the British House of Parliament.
There’s also a brief mention of man standing on Mercury; obviously listed as highly unlikely, but missing the larger point that it’s both impractical and utterly pointless.
Dollars drive space exploration, not science. If it weren’t that way, then maybe there would be the relatively bright future the author wishes for.
What I also remember from those books was the optimism of where we as a species would be by the 21st Century in terms of exploration, off-Earth habitation, etc. And that’s where this book went south for me.
Dreams of space exploration are one thing. But the political and fiscal reality surrounding the space program makes what the author describes unlikely ever to occur. Some challenges are technological, but the basic issue is the US Government has been attempting to eliminate NASA since Armstrong’s first step. There is no political will for lunar bases and such, certainly not enough will to be matched with dollars.
(The author mentioned Trump’s much hyped executive orders dealing with going back to the moon. Unmentioned is the reality that those orders weren’t backed up by budgets with the needed funding dollars.)
There are some other issues ... having just finished David Brown’s book “The Mission” about the Europa mission, this author’s summation of history and cost was flawed. Also, knowing there must be Google in England, it was grating to read “US House of Congress,” akin to saying the British House of Parliament.
There’s also a brief mention of man standing on Mercury; obviously listed as highly unlikely, but missing the larger point that it’s both impractical and utterly pointless.
Dollars drive space exploration, not science. If it weren’t that way, then maybe there would be the relatively bright future the author wishes for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2022
The blurb on the back of the book promises "a timely look look at what the next 50 years have in store" in the field of space exploration, but I found it to be a disappointment. First, the book talks more about the past than about the future, spending what feels like at least half the book talking about the last fifty years than the next fifty. There are some fine passages describing what is currently known about the Moon and Mars and how we came to know it, including a description over several pages as to what geographical features of the Moon can be seen by an observer on Earth as the Moon goes through its monthly phases, but only the sketchiest of detail about what we might expect in the future. I had expected an outline of how exploration of the moon, Mars and beyond might unfold, with perhaps a discussion of the pros and cons of differing scenarios. Instead the author briefly alludes to there being probably a moon base with a few dozen people, and most likely at least one landing on Mars by 2069, but gives almost no detail as to how he expects this to unfold except as a continuation of the Artemis program currently planned by NASA. He is also very dismissive of current developments in space travel outside of NASA, such as those currently being developed by SpaceX. While the author describes the SpaceX Starship and what it is intended for, he categorically dismisses it from practical consideration with a "this Starship will not get us to Mars, as we shall see" - a bald statement which is not backed up by any reasoning.
So - this book gives a reasonably good description of past exploration, but falls well short of the promised look into the next 50 years promised on the cover.
So - this book gives a reasonably good description of past exploration, but falls well short of the promised look into the next 50 years promised on the cover.
February 1, 2021
David Whitehouse has written a concise work, laying out where humanity currently is with respect to space exploration and where we could conservable find ourselves by the year 2069 (one hundred years since our first landing on the moon.) His narrative skillfully weaves the perfect proportions of wonder, history, poetry, and the difficult problems and challenges that we must address. His book is honest and is complete with the strategies, of how humanity might best approach this journey of exploration and on what is possible to achieve in the future. I enjoyed is book and highly recommend it to not only space enthusiasts, but to anybody looking for an update of the current state of space exploration and what the future of that exploration could hold.
January 30, 2024
Very interesting book. Prior to reading it I thought of going to mars as just a “longer mission to the moon”. The author presents the challenges well especially the biological affects that will probably be the hardest to overcome. I was surprised by some statics that he gave w.r.t heart deasease. For astronauts that had nevever been to space 9%; for astronauts that had been in low earth orbit 11%; and for astronauts that had been to the moon 43%. In addition to describing where the space program has been, he outlines his prediction for the next 50 years. He also gives good introduction to our solar system and what we might expect on each of the planets
April 12, 2024
A mixture of history of space exploration and where space speculation will be at by 2069. The main focus is the moon and the planet Mars. Both have problems in getting there and maintaining a presence.
Some of which I hadn't considered.
For instance I have read too many SF books and seen too many films to understand the difficulty in landing. It's not just of case of touching down. Things like density of the atmosphere have to be taken into consideration.
Written in 2020 some of the proposals in the book haven't taken place when according to the author they should have occurred by now.
An informative book that makes you realise how difficult space exploration is.
Some of which I hadn't considered.
For instance I have read too many SF books and seen too many films to understand the difficulty in landing. It's not just of case of touching down. Things like density of the atmosphere have to be taken into consideration.
Written in 2020 some of the proposals in the book haven't taken place when according to the author they should have occurred by now.
An informative book that makes you realise how difficult space exploration is.
April 1, 2021
This was a good read. It was an interesting way to tell us about space, by speculating about the future and where we might be in the future with the moon, with Mars and maybe even further.
It used this idea of talking about "where we might be" to excite and inspire while feed us lots of facts, and I was looking for interesting facts about the moon and Mars in a very digestible manner, so this suited me. I felt it was a good book for someone wanting to feel how inspiring the future and space could be, as well as picking up some very interesting stories.
It used this idea of talking about "where we might be" to excite and inspire while feed us lots of facts, and I was looking for interesting facts about the moon and Mars in a very digestible manner, so this suited me. I felt it was a good book for someone wanting to feel how inspiring the future and space could be, as well as picking up some very interesting stories.
Read
July 15, 2021DNF'd at 41%
This was painfully dry. Like the concept is super interesting, making intellectual guesses on the next fifty years of astronomical advancement, but there was zero nuance, it was just facts. Picture the most boring textbook you had to read in high school, this is STILL more boring than that. If I kept on reading, I probably would have torn my hair out. If you want to read about astronomy and space exploration, do yourself a favor and pick any book other than this one.
This was painfully dry. Like the concept is super interesting, making intellectual guesses on the next fifty years of astronomical advancement, but there was zero nuance, it was just facts. Picture the most boring textbook you had to read in high school, this is STILL more boring than that. If I kept on reading, I probably would have torn my hair out. If you want to read about astronomy and space exploration, do yourself a favor and pick any book other than this one.
March 15, 2023
It contains loads of visits to the moon, mars and beyond, either explaining what's going to happen during planned missions or theorising based on current (and future) science and technology. Demonstrates a lot of knowledge that he and humans have about the planets. However, it felt a bit dry and I would suggest smaller chapters that would encourage dipping into it. Sounds like a modern attention span issue, but, well, there we are. Enjoy.
July 25, 2021
Something I think that everyone who gets really excited about space should read. While it can be a bit of a bummer to be brought down to reality on a lot of the things that we think will happen faster. It was a very exciting read that’s well researched and covers all of the important topics in space flight today.
March 11, 2023
An interesting look at the near-future of potential lunar bases, starting a mars colony, and a brief discussion on the planets and asteroids beyond and future potential industry/colonies. I liked how the author mixed in history with his forecasts of where we may go in the future, very informative and learnt a lot.
January 3, 2021
This book is a mix of reporting on history and current events in space exploration with descriptions of the moon, Mars, and other bodies in our solar system. There is also a bit of speculation about what various missions could entail based on current understanding in the science community and the author’s conversations with people working in space exploration.
Overall the book wasn’t any one thing: history, speculative writing, or scientific description. This ability to be many things comes at the cost of depth in any area.
Overall the book wasn’t any one thing: history, speculative writing, or scientific description. This ability to be many things comes at the cost of depth in any area.
January 25, 2021
Space the place where everybody wants to go. Whether it be to the moon or Mars, it’s the biggest thing there is. This book is both a look back at the history of space travel and a look at the possible future, and it does it with aplomb.
Free review copy.
Free review copy.
May 16, 2021
Solid four stars. A good mixture of summaries of past missions and informed speculation about future developments around space exploration. What I really enjoyed about this book was that it was up to date, concise and easy to read.
December 30, 2021
great book for any space enthusiast with little actual detailed knowledge of space programmes
coverage of entire space system and beyond
bit depressing with how politically hindrances halt humanity
still left hopeful and inspired by what we will see within our lifetimes
coverage of entire space system and beyond
bit depressing with how politically hindrances halt humanity
still left hopeful and inspired by what we will see within our lifetimes
June 16, 2022
Really good 1st and 2nd section. Fell off in the 3rd section when he had less concrete things to talk about.
In general the closer he talked to the present the more accurate/realistic/fleshed out it was.
1st section was especially good.
In general the closer he talked to the present the more accurate/realistic/fleshed out it was.
1st section was especially good.
October 14, 2022
3.5 stars.
An interesting combination of astronomical history and futurism. I appreciate that Whitehouse is realistic about what can be accomplished by 2069, considering so much of US space exploration is based on the political climate.
An interesting read.
An interesting combination of astronomical history and futurism. I appreciate that Whitehouse is realistic about what can be accomplished by 2069, considering so much of US space exploration is based on the political climate.
An interesting read.
June 8, 2024
3.5 stars
A good read, for those who share my interests along these lines. A tiny bit dry -- kind of like reading a report, which kept me from giving 4 stars. But certainly wide-ranging and informative.
A good read, for those who share my interests along these lines. A tiny bit dry -- kind of like reading a report, which kept me from giving 4 stars. But certainly wide-ranging and informative.
September 13, 2024
Book seamlessly keeps jumping between fiction, history, science, speculation - makes an unbearable mess. The speculative parts give no alternatives or reasoning, just one man's prediction (hardly that, more like imagining).
October 18, 2020
3.5 rounded up
March 21, 2021
Exhilirating--and also disquieting. Whether we have a real future in space will be determined very soon.
April 27, 2021
This was an interesting read.
November 16, 2021
Though the content is informative, the narrative could have been more interesting
January 11, 2022
Excellent read. Talked a bit about the Apollo programs, then dove into future missions to Mars and planets beyond. Really enjoyed this one
March 5, 2022
3.5 stars.
April 16, 2023
Cant wait till we go back to Moon and onto Mars - This book made me "map the moon" to locate the various moon landings of the 1960-1970's...
September 22, 2023
Overall it was fine, but it was a bit odd at times how the factual history was interspersed with fictional narrative - it made things a bit disjointed.
May 26, 2024
Much good and interesting material, but confusingly out together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews