The expansion of our civilization to the Moon and beyond is now within our reach, technically, intellectually and financially. Apollo was not our last foray into the Solar System and already science fiction is finding it difficult to keep ahead of science and engineering fact. In 1807, few people anticipated the Wright Brothers' human flight a hundred years later. In 1869, only science fiction writers would have suggested landing people on the Moon in 1969. Similarly, other great inventions in mechanics and in electronics were not envisaged and therefore the technologies to which those inventions gave birth were only foreseen by a tiny group of visionaries.

Explores the importance of being a spacefaring nation Demonstrates the planning and building of capabilities for manned space flight and space settlement Proposes maximizing use of the Moon for the benefit of humanity Describes life in a human colony on the Moon in the year 2050 Shows that science and engineering fact are already ahead of science fiction

Autorentext
Professor Benaroya is a well-known aerospace engineer and scholar with a wealth of publications to his credit. He has researched this subject for over 17 years, primarily at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Zusammenfassung
Apollo was not our last foray into the Solar System and already science fiction is finding it difficult to keep ahead of science and engineering fact. In 1869, only science fiction writers would have suggested landing people on the Moon in 1969.

Inhalt
Introduction.- A Vision Of Our Goals.- Bootstrapping A Lunar Civilization.- Technical Issues.- Lunar Bases.- Science On The Moon.- Commerce On The Moon.- The Moon, Then Mars.- Luna At 2050.- Mars 2050-2100.- Issues For The Next Generation.