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1. Insightful and Groundbreaking
   This well researched and nicely written book proposes a useful alternative to the waning von Braun paradigm of using low earth orbit, lunar and Mars expeditions as stepping stones to the stars. Economic considerations, the frailty of human beings, and competing interests work against developing Utopian societies in space. Although the von Braum paradigm, bolstered by Krafft-Ehricke’s extraterrestrial imperative and reinforced by the lure of a new frontier still appeals to many people (including this writer) as Launius and McCurdy point out the Moon landings represent the high water mark of humans in space, rather than a stepping stone to successively more adventurous missions. Can we find a more compelling paradigm for modern day audiences? The authors argue yes. Robots in Space is not a mere rehash of the strengths and weaknesses of piloted and robotic missions, rather it proposes a broad strategy combining astronomy,physical and life sciences, piloted and robot missions that will benefit space exploration,the search for extraterrestrial life, and planetary defense. They propose, in other words, a strategy that will appeal to the whole field of astrobiology. Roger Launius and Howard McCurdy are superb scholars who draw on their own expertise and the storehouse of history to develop a synergistic, interdisciplinary program for discovery and I am glad to have a copy.

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2. Mindstretching
   For as long as there have been humans, there has been a push outward to explore and inhabit new lands. It seems to be something we are programmed to do. When new worlds (or a New World) was discovered, settlers moved in to make them their own. The Earth is pretty well settled, and we have nowhere else to move, unless we start going to other planets entirely. We have just barely started exploring these distant unearthly worlds, but our ventures have already caused a big debate in the philosophy of exploration: should it be by humans or by robots? _In Robots in Space: Technology, Evolution, and Interplanetary Travel_ (The Johns Hopkins University Press), a couple of experts on the history of space exploration and space policies, Roger D. Launius and Howard E. McCurdy, summarize the debate and give surprising answers and speculation into what the future may hold. Their predictions and their solutions require imagination to understand, at the level of science fiction, and indeed their book frequently draws upon science fiction novels and movies for depictions of imaginary answers to future problems. It makes for entertaining reading, especially for someone like me who had not previously realized how much serious thought has gone into the debate about robots, space exploration, and the future of humans in space.At the dawn of the space age, besides working on America’s rocket program, Wernher von Braun wrote popular articles that emphasized humans in space as a continuation of America’s tradition of exploration and settlement. The authors point out that such utopian visions have often been part of terrestrial exploration, and that they continue to fire the imaginations of those who want to see humans in space. Von Braun’s vision stalled. Sending humans into space for military purposes turned out to be unnecessary. Even the Space Shuttle program was not consistent with the aims of the utopians. It might have been part of von Braun’s vision of being transport to a space station, but it was essentially a “space truck” with little potential for getting us to other worlds. Of course von Braun relied on machines to get humans into space, but his plan greatly underestimated how good our robots were going to get, and how quickly they would fill commercial, military, and exploratory needs. It is still expensive to send robots into space, but they do not require money to be spent on life support, and in particular, they do not have to return to Earth to get their jobs done, while humans need to get back home. Maybe, however, there will be humans that don’t need to make the return trip, and maybe the robot / human dilemma is a false one, one that could be resolved by combining the two. Take the durability and limited needs of robots and combine them with the adaptability and intellect of humans, and you start thinking about what is called transhumanism or posthumanism. This includes cyborgs (from “cybernetic organism”) and there may be further combinations of machines and humans, and perhaps also genetic tinkering. Maybe humans making such journeys will be like no humans who ever came before them.The authors know that they are merely conducting “intellectual exercises designed to broaden one’s thinking about the options involved.” Humans won’t be able to live on Earth forever; even if we were taking perfect care of our environment, we can’t count on an eternal Sun. The authors admit, “It disappoints us to think that humanity might forever be confined to a single world,” and are not attracted to the idea that we would simply send out robots to do our exploration for us. They quote a former NASA official: “We don’t give ticker tape parades for robots.” As much speculation as there is in the book, there is also a serious assessment for what is needed in the future. The prospects for human colonization within the solar system look small, even for the most likely of future homes, Mars. Assessing planets outside the solar system has just begun, and the authors see this as the top priority for space exploration. Other priorities include finding a more effective propulsion system, because our current rockets won’t get humans, robots, or cyborgs very far very fast; reducing the cost of space travel; and civil partnerships with privately owned space industries. Even these priorities, which the authors view as realistic, some might see as mere science fiction. Only a few decades ago, however, travel to the Moon was mere science fiction. _Robots in Space_ is about a lot more than just robots, and although it is a sober and thoughtful examination of serious ideas, it is a mind-stretching trip.

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3. I came I saw I was totally insulted by the price.
   I am sorry as can be. Still in all honesty I have to object to this book on the grounds of the price alone. For this kind of wampum they should have been showing previously unpublished photo’s of GOD naked in all HER glory!I am so insulted to be asked for this huge amount of money! 99% of the writing in this Article is simple plagiarization of articles that were written during the dates and times over which most of this information was published for everyone to read. Much of it was bought out in such great publications such as “Boy’s Life” and Christen Science Monitor not to mention the magazines Life and Look. Least we forget the most unsung of them all, Readers Digest.I worked along side many of these types of person’s at NASA JPL and the like in Titusville Johnson and Huntsville. Every blessed one that I know would have screamed bloody murder should they have wished to pickup a copy of this book. Unless the coffee table version has a lot of great photos I have not viewed.I am really sorry to have to be this negative on any book to read as I do love the printed word.dray

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