Going into Space
Excited to share the latest edition of my book list series! This special post features space-themed books that seamlessly blend pop culture fiction with science, alongside some must-read non-fiction titles.
Short overview
A City on Mars by Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith
Artemis by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Armada by Ernest Cline
Moonfire: The Epic Journey of Apollo 11 by Norman Mailer
NASA Graphics Standards Manual by Christopher Bonanos (essay), Richard Danne , and Bruce Blackburn
A City on Mars
By Kelly and Zach Weinersmith is a fun and insightful look at the dream of settling on Mars. Blending humor with deep research, the book explores whether it's truly feasible to live on the Red Planet. From the weird and wild questions like whether you can make babies in space to more serious concerns about radiation and low gravity, the authors tackle it all. They highlight the many challenges, like space politics and survival ethics, in a way that’s both entertaining and enlightening. It’s a delightful read that makes you think twice about our spacefaring aspirations while keeping you laughing along the way.
Artemis
by Andy Weir is a fun and fast-paced adventure set on the Moon. It follows Jazz Bashara, a smart and witty smuggler trying to make ends meet in the lunar city of Artemis. When she takes on a high-risk job to sabotage a mining operation for a big payday, things spiral out of control. Jazz finds herself in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy involving a powerful crime syndicate. With her quick thinking and a bit of luck, she fights to save her city and uncover the secrets that could change everything.
Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir is a fun and thrilling space adventure. The story follows Ryland Grace, an astronaut who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of his mission. He gradually remembers he's on a crucial mission to save Earth from a mysterious organism that's threatening the sun. Along the way, he befriends Rocky, an alien from another star system who is dealing with the same problem. Together, they use their combined scientific knowledge to find a solution. The book is packed with humor, clever science, and a heartwarming tale of interstellar friendship
Sidenote:
Andy Weir just posted the following message on social media Sun 16 June 2024:
Aww yeah. It's happening, babyyyy! Edit: We're currently filming "Project Hail Mary" with Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace.
Can't wait!
Armada
by Ernest Cline is an action-packed sci-fi adventure about Zack Lightman, a teenager who discovers that his favorite video game, "Armada," is actually a government training simulation for an impending alien invasion. When real-life alien ships start showing up, Zack and his fellow gamers are recruited to use their gaming skills to pilot drones and defend Earth. As Zack uncovers secrets about his father's mysterious past and the true nature of the alien threat, he realizes that this invasion might be more than just a battle for survival.
One of my old favorite movies, "The Last Starfighter," and "Armada" by Ernest Cline share intriguing parallels. Both center on young protagonists who excel at video games, only to discover that these games are actually recruitment tools for real intergalactic conflicts. The plot also reminds me of the legend of Polybius, an urban myth about a mysterious arcade game from the early 1980s. According to the legend, Polybius was a government experiment that caused intense psychological effects on its players and was abruptly removed from arcades, leaving behind a legacy of conspiracy theories and speculative fiction. Google it if you want to go down the rabbit hole of Polybius.
Moonfire: The Epic Journey of Apollo 11
by Norman Mailer is a captivating and richly illustrated book that dives into the story of the first moon landing. Originally published as "Of a Fire on the Moon," Mailer’s account blends his sharp insights with a deep dive into the Apollo 11 mission. He captures the excitement, the technical details, and the human element of this historic event. The book is filled with hundreds of stunning photographs from NASA and other sources, documenting everything from the preparation to the triumphant moonwalk.
NASA Graphics Standards Manual
by Christopher Bonanos, Richard Danne, and Bruce Blackburn is a comprehensive reissue of the 1975 manual that defined NASA's visual identity during its pioneering years in space exploration. The book features meticulous scans of the original manual, including the iconic "worm" logotype, and provides a detailed look at the design guidelines that shaped NASA's branding. Alongside these visuals, the book includes a foreword by Richard Danne and an insightful essay by Christopher Bonanos that explores the cultural and historical significance of NASA's design choices.
I'm a huge fan of pop culture and sci-fi, and I had the incredible opportunity to attend SVCC 2018 in San Jose. This event, founded by Steve Wozniak, is a unique comic con dedicated to pop culture and science. One of the highlights was a presentation featuring Dr. Mae C. Jemison and Nichelle Nichols. Dr. Jemison shared how Nichelle, in her iconic role as Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura on Star Trek, inspired her to become an astronaut. Dr. Jemison made history in 1992 when she boarded the space shuttle Endeavour, becoming the first woman of color to travel into space. As NASA's first Science Mission Specialist, she conducted groundbreaking experiments in material science, life science, and human adaptation to weightlessness.
Dr. Mae C. Jemison and Nichelle Nichols (Photo: Teodor Bjerrang)
“I believe pursuing an extraordinary tomorrow creates a better world today. ” — Dr. Mae