Space, the Final Frontier?

Discusses the opportunities and methods for the exploration and exploitation of space by human beings.

What are our motivations for space exploration? Why should we strive to reach, if not the stars, at least the Moon and Mars? What are the greatest advantages of space to the human species? This thought provoking book will appeal to anyone interested in the future of space exploration.What are our motivations for going into space? Where does our long-term space future lie? Why, and how, should we strive to reach, if not for the stars, at least for the Moon and Mars? This exciting book looks first at the progress that has already been made in our attempts to explore and expand beyond the Earth. Current and past space technologies and space stations are described, and the effects of the space environment on the human body are explained. A discussion of the merits of the robotic exploration of space is followed by a look at our exploration of the Moon and Mars. Final chapters touch on propulsion methods required for leaving our solar system, and ask which of the possibilities for future space travel is most likely to succeed. This thought provoking book will appeal to all those with an interest in the future of space exploration.