Mars: a survival guide

[JonClarke]

My copy of a new book about travelling to and settling Mars has just arrived. It is Mars: a survival guide and is by Guy Murphy. I got a pre-release copy from the author. The official release is July 1st by Harper-Collins. It is intended for a non-technical audience, introducing them to the possibilities of Mars. It is probably the best general summary I have read.

http://www.harpercollins.com.au/books/M ... 0733324895

 

[JonClarke]

To give an idea of the coverage, here is the contents list:

1 - The Red Planet
2 - Getting there
3 - Suiting up
4 - Hidden treasure
5 - Building a home
6 - Life support
7 - Getting around
8 - Helpful machines
9 - Keeping in touch
10 - Your day job
11 - Looking after yourself
12 - Planetary protection
13 - the one-way trip

 

[nimbus]

How many inaccuracies and/or speculation?

 

[JonClarke]

How many inaccuracies and/or speculation?

Only a few minor errors, mostly along the lines of typos.

Speculation? Well, the whole human future on Mars is speculative, so you could see the whole thing as speculation.

But the author does differentiate carefully between what is feasible now, what can be feasible a short time from now, what would require major breakthroughs, and wild eyed dreaming, without foregetting that all major developments start with such dreams.

I specially like the non-nationalistic approach, the fact that the books explores options rather than lays down definitive directions, takes takes a very balanced, non-partisan view of a wide range of complex issues, and is written with a subtle humour.

 

[nimbus]

That's what I was asking, thanks!

 

[JonClarke]

That's what I was asking, thanks!

You are welcome!

It is written for people year a year 12 education, but even as a specialist I appreciated. Mind you, I am biased, the author is a good friend and I get a mention in the acknowledgements.

 

[gmmurphy]

There is a short intro video about it on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwZNkU8AFGs

and a large image of the cover at
http://www.guymurphy.com/Mars-A-Survival-Guide.php

Having immersed myself in the subject for such a long time I'd love to discuss some of the issues ...

regards
Guy Murphy (the author)

 

[JonClarke]

Good to see you here Guy, its a pretty good place to hang out, electronically speaking.

Guy is great value everyone, ask him lots of questions.

Guy, maybe should should summarise a couple of your points, as discussion starters?

 

[EarthlingX]

There is a short intro video about it on YouTube
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwZNkU8AFGs[/youtube]

and a large image of the cover at
http://www.guymurphy.com/Mars-A-Survival-Guide.php

Having immersed myself in the subject for such a long time I'd love to discuss some of the issues ...

regards
Guy Murphy (the author)

http://www.guymurphy.com/index.php

Welcome

 

[gmmurphy]

Thanks Jon. Those graphics reproduced rather BIG, so I'll try not to reproduce them in this message if I can help it.

I tried to cover all the main issues of traveling to and living on Mars in my book. There are a number of other publication on the subject out there. Two topics it seemed to me they don't address sufficiently the issues of planetary protection or the economics of establishing colonies. There is remarkably little international legal agreement on planetary protection protocols for Mars exploration, which is of concern given what huge implications the issue has for future human activity on the planet. How you could somehow make the process of exploration and settlement self-funding is an even thornier question. People have speculated about mining and selling land as possible revenue generating activities, but these don't seem to stand up to close analysis. Yet finding some viable industry of some kind could make all the difference in terms of expanding our presence on the planet.

Small planet, lots to talk about ...

 

[JonClarke]

Guy

I thought the COSPAR guidelines were the agreed standard. Are you saying these are inadequate?