Overview
- Chronicles the history of the now notorious Mars One venture from concept to candidate selection
- Explains the technological and medical infeasibility of the Mars One plans, with direct comparisons to the astronaut selection process applied to professional astronauts
- Addresses the appeal of risky space exploration adventures through interviews with candidates
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books (PRAXIS)
Part of the book sub series: Space Exploration (SPACEE)
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Table of contents (8 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
This book dissects the hype and hubris of the Mars One venture. Every aspect of the mission design is scrutinized, from the haphazard selection process to the unproven mission architecture. A controversial project, many professional astronauts consider Mars One a reckless attempt, yet it gained popular attention.
This go-to reference guide provides the reader with insights into the myriad issues arising from the project's loss of funding, loss of sponsorship, loss of TV rights. It explains what contributed to an overly optimistic assessment of Mars One's mission-specific technology, and what captivated the public and the many willing candidates despite these flaws. From the author of Survival and Sacrifice in Mars Exploration (2015) among many more books on spacefaring, this is yet another up-to-the-minute account of an emerging player in the private space market from an expert on the subject.Reviews
“In this work, Seedhouse, a research scientist, correctly enumerates the many medical and technological issues with the approach of the project. … he outlines the major challenges facing a human mission to Mars and skillfully shows the unfeasibility of Mars One. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.” (J. Z. Kiss, Choice, Vol. 54 (10), June, 2017)
“Addressing all Mars One mission aspects Seedhouse is drawing on his vast experience and on the results of almost all relevant human spaceflight studies as well as on NASA reports … . it is also providing an unprecedented complete and thorough compilation of all current mission scenarios, studies and mission analyses about sending humans to Mars … . In this respect the book can be considered as a ‘Guide to Mars’ (and safe return)’ for space enthusiasts interested … .” (The Journalof Space Operations & Communicator, opsjournal.org, Vol. 13 (4), 2016)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Dr. Erik Seedhouse is a research scientist specializing in environmental life sciences and physiology, the subject in which he obtained his Ph.D. while working for the European Space Agency between 1996 and 1998. In 2009, he was one of the final candidates for selection as an astronaut in the CSA’s Astronaut Recruitment Campaign. He is a certified commercial suborbital astronaut and is the Canadian Payload Broker for XCOR via Arête. Between 2008-13 he was Director of Canada's Manned Centrifuge and Hypobaric Chamber Operations. He is a spaceflight instructor for the American Astronautics Institute and the Training Director for Astronauts for Hire. He works as manned spaceflight consultant, triathlon coach, author and public speaker. He is currently co-authoring a book with Franklin Chang-Diaz on the subject of VASIMR. He applied to the Mars One venture in the spirit of 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. He was not among the final 100 finalists, which is probably a good thing knowingwhat we know now!
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Mars One
Book Subtitle: The Ultimate Reality TV Show?
Authors: Erik Seedhouse
Series Title: Springer Praxis Books
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44497-0
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-44496-3Published: 02 November 2016
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-44497-0Published: 21 October 2016
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXIII, 174
Number of Illustrations: 9 b/w illustrations, 84 illustrations in colour
Topics: Popular Science in Technology, Aerospace Technology and Astronautics, Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics), Project Management