Packing for Mars

The Curious Science of Life in the Void

By: Mary Roach

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Space is a world devoid of the things we need to live and thrive: air, gravity, hot showers, fresh produce, privacy, beer. Space exploration is in some ways an exploration of what it means to be human. How much can a person give up? How much weirdness can they take? What happens to you when you can’t walk for a year? Have sex? Smell flowers? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a space walk? Is it possible for the human body to survive a bailout at 17,000 miles per hour?

To answer these questions, space agencies set up all manner of quizzical and startlingly bizarre space simulations. As Mary Roach discovers, it’s possible to preview space without ever leaving Earth. From the space shuttle training toilet to a crash test of NASA’s new space capsule (cadaver filling in for astronaut), Roach takes us on a surreally entertaining trip into the science of life in space and space on Earth.

©2010 Mary Roach (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Interesting, but not well structured.

The information is interesting but hard to follow. Foot/side notes are interjected in mid thought, there is no clear distinction between one subject and the next, then suddenly it comes back to a previous topic in a random interjection.

Great book and narrator - Not much about Mars

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this as I enjoy most of Mary Roach's books. Sandra Burr's narration was spot on. However, if you are interested in human exploration and the possible settlement of Mars, another book may cover it better. This book is loaded with funny and educational information and observations from behind the scenes of manned spaceflight.

Well worth the listen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Something's missing. Can't really put my finger to it, but being an engineer myself, I would've wanted perhaps more engineerish information rather than just the too-muc-detail toilet descriptions :) But overall this was an interesting book and well worth the listen. Mary has gone through a lot of research to put this together and I certainly look at all the astronauts in a different, more human way after reading this. Thanks for sharing!

Fascinating (and Funny!)

I got this book out of vague curiosity and expected to pick up a few interesting facts. Instead I was spellbound from beginning to end. I did have to skip the chapter on vomiting, and I only half listened to the one on human waste, but otherwise I couldn't stop listening. The writer is hilarious and has such an enjoyable attitude about space travel, which is very clearly her area of expertise, that I laughed out loud several times, something I never expected. Excellent!

Let's go to Mars! (but with working toilets)

I love the conclusion of this book: “Mars is there! RIGHT THERE! You can see it from here! LET’S GO!” (paraphrasing slightly, I’m afraid). And overall this is an enjoyable trip through the back halls of the space program. The ostensible thread through the book is how we can prepare for a trip to Mars and what’s been done so far to meet specific challenges. In reality, however, this is a bit like reading The National Inquirer Meets NASA as told by George Carlin. Mary Roach is always respectful to the men and women behind the space program, but you get the feeling that she kept saying “And isn’t there any little tidbit you can share? Just between us? Promise I won’t tell!”. Oh, and that she has or knows a five your old boy and based some of her humor on his reactions. Fair warning: the chapter on toilets in space will be side-splitting if you like bathroom humor and pretty gross if you don’t.
To be fair, she does throw herself into her research. She relates first hand experience with some of the research and testing NASA is doing, and she isn’t afraid to make fun of herself. And there were times when I was laughing out loud. Seriously, why would an organization dedicated to launching people into space on the tops of guided missiles be so obsessively concerned about slip hazards?
So, look elsewhere if you want scientific rigour or high adventure. But get this book if you want a lighthearted look at the past and future space program with some behind the scenes coverage.

Funny and informative

This was a fun book and it went by quickly. I was hoping for more science (and Mars, for that matter) but enjoyed it nonetheless.

interesting/ fun

author has a great sense of humor.
the book takes a humor approach to all the experiments you never thought of taking place for us to travel to outer space.

What You Probably Don't Realize About NASA & Space

I wasn't sure to expect when I started reading this book, so I left my expectations at the cover. Just let Mary and Sandra lead the way. Having finished the book, I can say that had anyone else read it or if I had tried to read it myself, I might have not gotten as much out of it as I did. Sandra does a good job putting emphasis where I think Mary wanted it.

Prepare to embark on a journey of nausea, potty training, a bit of history, aero- and astrodynamics, and other stuff NASA doesn't like to talk about on a day-to-day basis. Expect to learn more about these things than you ever thought you could or would, and laugh while you do.

I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in space or aviation. Everyone else would enjoy the book as well, but not as much as someone who has in interest in the subjects discussed. Whether you are drawn to aviation and space, or have a fear of heights, you will still enjoy this book and probably come away with a better appreciation for everyone involved in any space agency.

Some Things We Learn from "Packing for Mars"

Mary Roach's "Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void" is the perfect book for anyone who is curious about the ins and outs (literally) of space travel.

We learn:

How astronauts urinate and defecate in space, and how this process has changed from the early Apollo missions to the space shuttle to the space station.

How sex in space would work, and if anyone has ever given it a shot.

How space food is produced and consumed, and why we would not want to have NASA take over our campus dining services.

What an astronaut really does in the 99% of the time she is not in space, and what NASA (and the Russian and Japanese space agencies) look for in a potential recruit.

How astronauts train, getting used to the rigors of zero gravity, the boredom, and the need to spend 24 hours a day with your co-workers without ever being able to leave.

Why Mary Roach thinks manned space exploration should continue, and why spending the $500 billion or so to get to Mars is a good investment.

I'm a big fan of Mary Roach's books. She has covered sex (Bonk), death (Stiff), and ghosts (Spook). The only problem with "Packing for Mars" is that the title is too long.

And in the category of, "oh what a small world we live in", it turns out that Mary Roach grew up in the small town in which I now reside. Mary, you are welcome to stay at the house if you ever want to come and visit.

SPACE TRAVEL GUIDE

Mary Roach explores everything from sex to bowel movements in her outer space travel guide, “Packing for Mars”. Roach participates in some NASA training to get a first hand experience of what it takes to be a space traveler. She experiences weightlessness in 22 second intervals. She floats like a butterfly while some of her space mates puke breakfast and lunch.

Roach does use humor to explain what space travel takes but looking past the humor one is overwhelmed by the gap between current science and technology and human travel to other planets.