Fly Me to the Moon : An Insider's Guide to the New Science of Space Travel

When a leaf falls on a windy day, it drifts and tumbles, tossed every which way on the breeze. This is chaos in action. In __Fly Me to the Moon__, Edward Belbruno shows how to harness the same principle for low-fuel space travel--or, as he puts it, "surfing the gravitational field." Belbruno devised one of the most exciting concepts now being used in space flight, that of swinging through the cosmos on the subtle fluctuations of the planets' gravitational pulls. His idea was met with skepticism until 1991, when he used it to get a stray Japanese satellite back on course to the Moon. The successful rescue represented the first application of chaos to space travel and ushered in an emerging new field. Part memoir, part scientific adventure story, __Fly Me to the Moon__ gives a gripping insider's account of that mission and of Belbruno's personal struggles with the science establishment. Along the way, Belbruno introduces readers to recent breathtaking advances in American space exploration. He discusses ways to capture and redirect asteroids; presents new research on the origin of the Moon; weighs in on discoveries like 2003 UB313 (now named Eris), a dwarf planet detected in the far outer reaches of our solar system--and much more. Grounded in Belbruno's own rigorous theoretical research but written for a general audience, __Fly Me to the Moon__ is for anybody who has ever felt moved by the spirit of discovery. When A Leaf Falls On A Windy Day, It Drifts And Tumbles, Tossed Every Which Way On The Breeze. This Is Chaos In Action. In Fly Me To The Moon, Edward Belbruno Shows How To Harness The Same Principle For Low-fuel Space Travel--or, As He Puts It, Surfing The Gravitational Field. Belbruno Devised One Of The Most Exciting Concepts Now Being Used In Space Flight, That Of Swinging Through The Cosmos On The Subtle Fluctuations Of The Planets' Gravitational Pulls. His Idea Was Met With Skepticism Until 1991, When He Used It To Get A Stray Japanese Satellite Back On Course To The Moon. The Successful Rescue Represented The First Application Of Chaos To Space Travel And Ushered In An Emerging New Field. Part Memoir, Part Scientific Adventure Story, Fly Me To The Moon Gives A Gripping Insider's Account Of That Mission And Of Belbruno's Personal Struggles With The Science Establishment. Along The Way, Belbruno Introduces Readers To Recent Breathtaking Advances In American Space Exploration. He Discusses Ways To Capture And Redirect Asteroids; Presents New Research On The Origin Of The Moon; Weighs In On Discoveries Like 2003 Ub313 (now Named Eris), A Dwarf Planet Detected In The Far Outer Reaches Of Our Solar System--and Much More. Grounded In Belbruno's Own Rigorous Theoretical Research But Written For A General Audience, Fly Me To The Moon Is For Anybody Who Has Ever Felt Moved By The Spirit Of Discovery. Foreword / By Neil Degrasse Tyson -- A Moment Of Discovery -- An Uncertain Start -- Conventional Way To The Moon -- A Fuel Hog -- A Question -- Chaos And Surfing The Gravitational Field -- What Is Chaos? -- Using Art To Find Chaotic Regions -- An Oil Painting Unveiling Dynamical Processes -- Wsb--a Chaotic No-man's-land -- Getting To The Wsb--low Energy Transfers -- Rescue Of A Lunar Mission -- Skepticism, Politics, And A Bittersweet Success -- Significance Of Hiten -- Salvage Of Hgs-1, And A Christmas Present -- Other Space Missions And Low Energy Transfers -- Lgas Reincarnated: Smart 1 -- Europa Orbiter And Prometheus -- A Lunar Transportation System -- Hopping Comets And Earth Collision -- Potential Earth Collision -- Lexell -- Jupiter-hopping Earth-crossing Comets Present A Danger -- Kuiper Belt Objects And Neptune Hopping -- Ballistic Escape From The Earth-moon System, And Asteroid Capture -- The Creation Of The Moon By Another World -- Beyond The Moon And To The Stars -- Pluto To Alpha Centauri -- Comets Moving Between The Sun And Alpha Centauri -- A Paradigm Shift And The Future. Edward Belbruno. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [141]-146) And Index. Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Chapter One. A Moment of Discovery Chapter Two. An Uncertain Start Chapter Three. Conventional Way to the Moon Chapter Four. A Question Chapter Five. Chaos and Surfing the Gravitational Field Chapter Six. Using Art to Find Chaotic Regions Chapter Eight. Getting to the WSB—Low Energy Transfers Chapter Nine. Rescue of a Lunar Mission Chapter Eleven. Salvage of HGS-1, and a Christmas Present Chapter Twelve. Other Space Missions and Low Energy Transfers Chapter Thirteen. Hopping Comets and Earth Collision Chapter Fourteen. The Creation of the Moon by Another World Chapter Fifteen. Beyond the Moon and to the Stars Chapter Sixteen. A Paradigm Shift and the Future Bibliography Index Introduces readers to advances in American space exploration. This book discusses ways to capture and redirect asteroids; presents research on the origin of the Moon; weighs in on discoveries like 2003 UB313, a dwarf planet detected in the far outer reaches of our solar system - and, more.