Space chronicles : facing the ultimate frontier

**A thought-provoking and humorous collection on NASA and the future of space travel.** Neil deGrasse Tyson is a rare breed of astrophysicist, one who can speak as easily and brilliantly with popular audiences as with professional scientists. Now that NASA has put human space flight effectively on holdwith a five- or possibly ten-year delay until the next launch of astronauts from U.S. soilTysons views on the future of space travel and Americas role in that future are especially timely and urgent. This book represents the best of Tysons commentary, including a candid new introductory essay on NASA and partisan politics, giving us an eye-opening manifesto on the importance of space exploration for Americas economy, security, and morale. Thanks to Tysons fresh voice and trademark humor, his insights are as delightful as they are provocative, on topics that range from the missteps that shaped our recent history of space travel to how aliens, if they existed, might go about finding __us__. ## About the Author **Neil deGrasse Tyson** is an astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History, director of the world-famous Hayden Planetarium, a monthly columnist for __Natural History__, and an award-winning author. He has begun production of a new __Cosmos__ series, premiering in early 2013. He lives in New York City. Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson Presents His Views On The Future Of Space Travel And America's Role In That Future, Giving His Readers An Eye-opening Manifesto On The Importance Of Space Exploration For America's Economy, Security, And Morale. Pt. 1: Why. The Allure Of Space ; Exoplanet Earth ; Extraterrestrial Life ; Evil Aliens ; Killer Asteroids ; Destined For The Stars ; Why Explore ; The Anatomy Of Wonder ; Happy Birthday, Nasa ; The Next Fifty Years In Space ; Space Options ; Paths To Discovery -- Pt. 2: How. To Fly ; Going Ballistic ; Race To Space ; 2001 : Fact Vs. Fiction ; Launching The Right Stuff ; Things Are Looking Up ; For The Love Of Hubble ; Happy Anniversary, Apollo 11 ; How To Reach The Sky ; The Last Days Of The Space Shuttle ; Propulsion For Deep Space ; Balancing Acts ; Happy Anniversary, Star Trek ; How To Prove You've Been Abducted By Aliens ; The Future Of Us Space Travel -- Pt. 3: Why Not. Space Travel Troubles ; Reaching For The Stars ; America And The Emergent Space Powers ; Delusions Of Space Enthusiasts ; Perchance To Dream ; By The Numbers ; Ode To Challenger, 1986 ; Spacecraft Behaving Badly ; What Nasa Means To America's Future -- Epilogue: The Cosmic Perspective. -- Appendix A. National Aeronautics And Space Act Of 1958, As Ammended -- Appendix B. Selected Statutory Provisions Applicable To Nasa -- Appendix C. A Half Century Of Nasa Spending 1959-2010 -- Nasa Spending 1959-2010 -- Nasa Spending As A Percentage Of Us Federal Governement Spending And Of Us Gdp 1959-2010 -- Space Budget: Global 2010 -- Space Budgets: Us And Non-us Governments 2010. Neil Degrasse Tyson ; Edited By Avis Lang. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

“A compelling appeal, at just the right time, for continuing to look up.”—Air & Space

America’s space program is at a turning point. After decades of global primacy, NASA has ended the space-shuttle program, cutting off its access to space. No astronauts will be launched in an American craft, from American soil, until the 2020s, and NASA may soon find itself eclipsed by other countries’ space programs.

With his signature wit and thought-provoking insights, Neil deGrasse Tyson—one of our foremost thinkers on all things space—illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration and brilliantly reminds us why NASA matters now as much as ever. As Tyson reveals, exploring the space frontier can profoundly enrich many aspects of our daily lives, from education systems and the economy to national security and morale. For America to maintain its status as a global leader and a technological innovator, he explains, we must regain our enthusiasm and curiosity about what lies beyond our world.

Provocative, humorous, and wonderfully readable, Space Chronicles represents the best of Tyson’s recent commentary, including a must-read prologue on NASA and partisan politics. Reflecting on topics that range from scientific literacy to space-travel missteps, Tyson gives us an urgent, clear-eyed, and ultimately inspiring vision for the future.

"A compelling appeal, at just the right time, for continuing to look up."-- Air & Space America's space program is at a turning point. After decades of global primacy, NASA has ended the space-shuttle program, cutting off its access to space. No astronauts will be launched in an American craft, from American soil, until the 2020s, and NASA may soon find itself eclipsed by other countries' space programs. With his signature wit and thought-provoking insights, Neil deGrasse Tyson--one of our foremost thinkers on all things space--illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration and brilliantly reminds us why NASA matters now as much as ever. As Tyson reveals, exploring the space frontier can profoundly enrich many aspects of our daily lives, from education systems and the economy to national security and morale. For America to maintain its status as a global leader and a technological innovator, he explains, we must regain our enthusiasm and curiosity about what lies beyond our world. Provocative, humorous, and wonderfully readable, Space Chronicles represents the best of Tyson's recent commentary, including a must-read prologue on NASA and partisan politics. Reflecting on topics that range from scientific literacy to space-travel missteps, Tyson gives us an urgent, clear-eyed, and ultimately inspiring vision for the future "America's space program is at a turning point. After decades of global primacy, NASA has ended the space-shuttle program, cutting off its access to space. No astronauts will be launched in an American craft, from American soil, until the 2020s, and NASA may soon find itself eclipsed by other countries' space programs. With his signature wit and thought-provoking insights, Neil deGrasse Tyson--one of our foremost thinkers on all things space--illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration and brilliantly reminds us why NASA matters now as much as ever. As Tyson reveals, exploring the space frontier can profoundly enrich many aspects of our daily lives, from education systems and the economy to national security and morale. For America to maintain its status as a global leader and a technological innovator, he explains, we must regain our enthusiasm and curiosity about what lies beyond our world. Provocative, humorous, and wonderfully readable, Space Chronicles represents the best of Tyson's recent commentary, including a must-read prologue on NASA and partisan politics. Reflecting on topics that range from scientific literacy to space-travel missteps, Tyson gives us an urgent, clear-eyed, and ultimately inspiring vision for the future." Provided by publisher. "America's space program is at a turning point. After decades of global primacy, NASA has ended the space-shuttle program, cutting off its access to space. No astronauts will be launched in an American craft, from American soil, until the 2020s, and NASA may soon find itself eclipsed by other countries' space programs. With his signature wit and thought-provoking insights, Neil deGrasse Tyson--one of our foremost thinkers on all things space--illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration and brilliantly reminds us why NASA matters now as much as ever. As Tyson reveals, exploring the space frontier can profoundly enrich many aspects of our daily lives, from education systems and the economy to national security and morale. For America to maintain its status as a global leader and a technological innovator, he explains, we must regain our enthusiasm and curiosity about what lies beyond our world. Provocative, humorous, and wonderfully readable, Space Chronicles represents the best of Tyson's recent commentary, including a must-read prologue on NASA and partisan politics. Reflecting on topics that range from scientific literacy to space-travel missteps, Tyson gives us an urgent, clear-eyed, and ultimately inspiring vision for the future"--Publisher's website "La NASA está en un punto crítico; después de décadas de supremacíamundial, canceló su programa de transbordadores cerrando su acceso al espacio. Hasta 2020, ningún astronauta será lanzado fuera de la órbita terrestre desde suelo estadounidense, y pronto su programa espacial podría ser eclipsado por el de otros países. Con su característico humor y sus provocadoras ideas, Neil deGrasse Tyson, el célebre presentador del programa Cosmos, ilumina el pasado, el presente y el futuro de la exploración del espacio y nos recuerda de manera brillante por qué la NASA importa más que nunca. Estas crónicas son una lectura provocadora y ágil que representan lo mejor del pensamiento del autor y reflexionan sobre temas tan diversos como la literatura científica y los tropiezos de las misiones espaciales, brindando una visión del futuro necesaria, clara y, sobre todo, inspiradora, "--Amazon.com. After decades of global primacy, NASA has ended the space shuttle program, and the United States may soon find itself eclipsed by other countries' space endeavors. With his signature wit and thought-provoking insights, Neil deGrasse Tyson one of our foremost thinkers on all things space illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration and brilliantly reminds us why NASA matters now as much as ever