Mankind Beyond Earth: The History, Science, and Future of Human Space Exploration

Pianatadosi (pathology, Duke Univ.; The Biology of Human Survival: Life and Death in Extreme Environments) specializes in studies of survival in extreme environments. Here he offers a brief history of human space exploration; a discussion of various strategies for extending human excursions to asteroids, the Moon (again), Mars, the outer planets of the Sun, and even targets beyond the solar system; and a rigorous examination of the very special and expensive conditions needed for human survival on such trips. The chapters on survival requirements are moderately technical but should be comprehensible even to space fans who lack advanced training in science, engineering, and/or medicine. Pianatadosi seems personally to favor a base on the Moon followed by visits to Mars, but he is against prioritizing asteroid visits. However, some readers may find the survival requirements so daunting that they end up opposing further human-staffed space trips.