The Traveler's Guide to Space : For One-Way Settlers and Round-Trip Tourists

If you have ever wondered about space travel, now you have the opportunity to understand it more fully than ever before. Traveling into space and even emigrating to nearby worlds may soon become part of the human experience. Scientists, engineers, and investors are working hard to make space tourism and colonization a reality. As astronauts can attest, extraterrestrial travel is incomparably thrilling. To make the most of the experience requires serious physical and mental adaptations in virtually every aspect of life, from eating to intimacy. Everyone who goes into space sees Earth and life on it from a profoundly different perspective than they had before liftoff. Astronomer and former NASA/ASEE scientist Neil F. Comins has written the go-to book for anyone interested in space exploration. He describes the wonders that travelers will encounter--weightlessness, unparalleled views of Earth and the cosmos, and the opportunity to walk on another world--as well as the dangers: radiation, projectiles, unbreathable atmospheres, and potential equipment failures. He also provides insights into specific trips to destinations including suborbital flights, space stations, the Moon, asteroids, comets, and Mars--the top candidate for colonization. Although many challenges are technical, Comins outlines them in clear language for all readers. He synthesizes key issues and cutting-edge research in astronomy, physics, biology, psychology, and sociology to create a complete manual for the ultimate voyage. "Astronomer and former NASA/ASEE scientist Neil F. Comins has written the go-to book for anyone interested in space exploration, including potential travelers. He describes the joys and the dangers travelers will face--weightlessness, unparalleled views of Earth and the cosmos, the opportunity to walk on or jump off another world, as well as radiation, projectiles, unbreathable atmospheres, and potential equipment failures. He also provides insights into specific types of travel and destinations, including suborbital flights (nonstop flights to space and back), Earth-orbiting space stations, the Moon, asteroids, comets, and Mars--the first-choice candidate for colonization. Although many challenges to space travel are technical, Comins outlines these matters in clear language for all readers. He synthesizes key issues and cutting-edge research in astronomy, physics, biology, psychology, and sociology to create a complete manual for those eager to take the ultimate voyage, as well as those just interested in the adventure."--Publisher description Astronomer and former NASA/ASEE scientist Neil F. Comins has written the go-to book for anyone interested in space exploration, including potential travelers. He describes the joys and the dangers travelers will face—weightlessness, unparalleled views of Earth and the cosmos, the opportunity to walk on or jump off another world, as well as radiation, projectiles, unbreathable atmospheres, and potential equipment failures. Although many challenges to space travel are technical, Comins outlines these matters in clear language for all readers. An inside look at the experience of space travel and the destinations we may one day visit as space tourists. Table of Contents Introduction Part I: Preparing for Space 1. Science and the Solar System Over Easy 2. Brief Descriptions of Journeys Through Space 3. Preparing for Your Trip 4. Training for Space Travel Part II: Adjusting to Space 5. Launch! 6. Adjustments During the First Few Days 7. Long-Term Physical Adjustments to Space 8. Getting Along in Space: Psychological and Sociological Aspects of Space Travel Part III: Making the Most of Experiences in Space 9. Experiences by Destination Part IV: Home! Sweet? Home? 10. Emigrating to Mars or Returning to Earth Appendix: Powers of Ten Notes Bibliography Index