Spacefarers: How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond

Science journalist Wanjak (Food at Work) addresses the challenges and possibilities of living in space in this inquisitive work. He begins with possible reasons for humanity to incur the enormous expense of establishing off-planet settlements. It’s unlikely to be for survival after a catastrophic event, such as nuclear war, climate change, or an asteroid strike, as large-scale migration wouldn’t be viable for a long time. The likelier reasons, Wanjak writes, are less lofty: “War might get us to the Moon or Mars; economic sustainability will keep us there.” With Antarctica to use as a training ground, and private industry and governments working on next-generation transport methods such as spaceplanes, skyhooks, and space elevators, some kind of off-planet infrastructure seems feasible, Wanjak notes, by the mid–21st century. Space-based research and mining could draw industrial interests, and once stations and bases are established, whether in orbit, on the Moon, Mars, or even in the asteroid belt and beyond, Wanjak believes space tourism could be big business. Though he doesn’t delve deeply into every topic, he includes a sizable bibliography for further investigations. While warning that “the Devil is in the details” in such a complicated field, Wanjak opens up many intriguing possibilities in this wide-ranging survey. (Apr.)