Skip to main content
  • Book
  • © 2017

The Politics and Perils of Space Exploration

Who Will Compete, Who Will Dominate?

Authors:

  • Written by a graduate from NASA Langley Research Center, this book offers a complete overview of all of NASA's next steps in space, including how future space exploration is to be funded and how space tourism is to be regulated
  • Summarizes future space exploration plans in development both in the US and abroad, including the increased shift to space privatization as changes in NASA's mission bring it into partnership with commercial space companies
  • Considers the U.S. political climate regarding its tolerance for risk in space travel and whether the US will continue to invest in the space arena, as the SpaceShip Two crash illustrates why mistakes become deadly

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books (PRAXIS)

Part of the book sub series: Space Exploration (SPACEE)

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 29.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xx
  2. The New Space Race

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 1-24
  3. The Commercial Space Race

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 25-40
  4. Mars

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 41-69
  5. Why Not Go Back to the Moon?

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 71-80
  6. The Science and Dangers of Outer Space

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 81-106
  7. Politics and the Space Race

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 107-126
  8. The Post-Apollo and Space Shuttle Era

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 127-152
  9. Politics, the ISS, and Private Enterprise

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 153-161
  10. Technological Risks and Accidents

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 163-177
  11. New Technology and Deep Space

    • Linda Dawson
    Pages 179-194
  12. Back Matter

    Pages 195-199

About this book

Written by a former Aerodynamics Officer on the space shuttle program, this book provides a complete overview of the “new” U. S. space program, which has changed considerably over the past 50 years.The future of space exploration has become increasingly dependent on other countries and private enterprise. 

Can private enterprise fill NASA's shoes and provide the same expertise, safety measures and lessons learned? 

In order to tell this story, it is important to understand the politics of space as well as the dangers, why it is so difficult to explore and utilize the resources of space. Some past and recent triumphs and failures will be discussed, pointing the way to a successful space policy that includes taking risks but also learning how to mitigate them.

Reviews

“A main idea Dawson (Univ. of Washington, Tacoma) explores is that space exploration is important not only to further develop science and technology, but also to ‘gain political power.’ … Dawson commences with the present day and fills in the history as it relates to the topic of the chapter. Each chapter also begins with a list of the key words indexed within it. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; faculty and professionals.” (R. I. Saltz, Choice, Vol. 57 (11), July, 2017)


“Astonishingly, Linda Dawson was able to compile all this voluminous information on only 195 pages, including all the appropriate high-resolution images, many spectacular ones as they were published worldwide during the particular events. … The book is highly recommended for decision makers, but also for taxpayersto judge and understand what ‘their money’ achieved with respect to space exploration, and to keep track of the very complex and difficult decisions we will have to make for our global future.” (Joachim J. Kehr, Journal of Space Operations & Communicator, opsjournal.org, Issue 14, 2017)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Tacoma, USA

    Linda Dawson

About the author

Linda Dawson received her BS in Engineering Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and a Engineering Aeronautics and Astronautics MS from George Washington University at NASA Langley Research Center. She is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Science and Statistics at the University of Washington, Tacoma. Dawson served as Aerodynamics Officer for the Mission Control Center Ascent and Entry Flight Control Teams during the first space shuttle mission. During orbital phases, she served as an advisor on the impact of system failures on the orbiter's re-entry trajectory and configuration. From re-entry through touchdown, she was responsible for monitoring the orbiter's stability and control, advising the crew of any necessary corrective actions. Additionally, she serves on the Education Committee and the Space Committee for the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 29.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access