Mars Direct

Space Exploration, the Red Planet, and the Human Future

De: Robert Zubrin

Narrado por: Erik Synnestvedt

The human race is at a crossroads. In the coming years, we will make decisions regarding our human spaceflight program that will lead to one of two familiar futures: the open universe of Star Trek, where we allow ourselves the opportunity to spread our wings and attempt to flourish as an interplanetary species - or the closed, dystopian, and ultimately self-destructive world of Soylent Green. If we ever hope to live in the future that is the former scenario, our first stepping stone must be a manned mission to Mars.

Dr. Robert Zubrin details the challenges of a manned Earth-to-Mars mission. Challenges which, according to Zubrin, we are technologically more prepared to overcome than the obstacles of the missions to the moon of the sixties and seventies. Dr. Zubrin's relatively simple plan, called Mars Direct, could feasibly have humans on the surface of Mars within a decade. Zubrin also discusses the current predicament of NASA, the promise of privatized space flight from companies like SpaceX, and the larger implication behind the absolute necessity to open the final frontier to humanity - the human race's future as a species that takes the necessary baby steps away from the cradle that is planet Earth or, ultimately, perishes here.

©2013 Robert Zubrin (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Bob Zubrin really, nearly alone, changed our thinking on this issue." (Carl Sagan, The Denver Post)

Choppy

Book s basically 4 parts: Mars Direct, Private Enterprise, Risk/Safety and Philosophy. Would have been better if the other 3 pieces were interspersed into the Mars Direct story. An update would be nice too, a lot has happened since 2016.

Enlightening

Combines science, exploration, hope and humanity into a how-to book on forwarding the human race.

Not what i thought it was going to be..

I thought this was going to be a short work on what is listed in the title, space exploration, Mars and the future. Instead the majority of the work is basically complaining about the current administration's handling of the space program and NASA itself. The first thirty minutes were exceptional, full of visions of the future and travelling to Mars, exactly what i expected. From there, it derails and talks about why even planning Mars Direct isn't possible now or in the next three years. That's not to say that the information provided isn't accurate or interesting, but if you're looking for something full of theories on space travel/colonization (besides "change the government!"), look elsewhere.

Persuasive Case for Mars Direct Approach

Sorry to say US may not shoot for Mars as it shot for the Moon, but it should. Would love to see HRC reshape NASA mission focus and risk taking. Thankfully groups like Space X are helping to point the way and demonstrate feasibility.

Excellent & Concise

Very good, concise analysis of current state of US space exploration programs, focusing on Mars. Want to hear more on this and similar topics. Well narrated.