MINING THE SKY: UNTOLD RICHES FROM THE ASTEROIDS, COMETS, AND PLANETS PDF, EPUB, EBOOK John S. Lewis | 274 pages | 23 Sep 1997 | The Perseus Books Group | 9780201328196 | English | New York, United States Mining the Sky: Untold Riches from the Asteroids, Comets, and Planets PDF Book Average rating 4. OK Privacy policy. Lewis says is true, why wouldn't any clear thinking millionaire have started mining asteroids already? Lewis argues that with initial investment in some properly planned space missions, in contrast to the flags and footprints missions of the Apollo program, a reasonably profitable space economy can be set up. Enabling JavaScript in your browser will allow you to experience all the features of our site. Read more Oct 14, Bradley Mazurek rated it it was amazing. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. The disappointing realization that in these 20 years, our technology has greatly improved in the field of communication and not in the field of transportation builds up to the last chapter. A retrospective on the life and work of What drags it down a little is that the author interjects the chapters with his own parallel sci fi story which just disturbs the flow of the book. When people think of mining, they usually think of metals or coal. O'Neill , Lewis responds to the limits to growth on Earth with detailed plans to first ameliorate them by accessing space resources on Earth, followed by human space colonization of the entire Solar System. Lists with This Book. We are in the same situation we were when the book was published, with added burdens of terrorism, culture wars, and increased energy costs. One of many interesting gems: the asteroid belt alone contains raw metals worth at current market value billion-billion dollars, i. I found this book very enjoyable to read and opened up many new possible ideas for space that I hadn't thought about before. Lewis Asteroids in fiction — Asteroids and asteroid belts are a staple of science fiction stories. He suggests building many of the components of SPSs in space, thereby reducing the amount of material needed from Earth and increasing space-based commerce. Mining the Sky: Untold Riches from the Asteroids, Comets, and Planets Writer What begins with an outdated feel this book is already 20 years old ends in an incredibly optimistic and logical vision for the future. Return to Book Page. From a master historian, the definitive account of history's first terroristsAn offshoot of the Ismaili Shi'ite sect of Islam, the Assassins were the first group to make systematic use of murder as a political weapon. Readers also enjoyed. Jan 09, Hong rated it liked it. Lewis notes that about a quarter of the mass in the near-Earth asteroid population is water, which can be separated into hydrogen and oxygen to fuel spacecraft. While we worry over the depletion of the earth's natural resources, the pollution of our planet, and the challenges presented by the earth's growing population, billions of dollars worth of metals, fuels, and life-sustaining substances await us in nearby space. View Product. Perseus Publishing. Then he does it again a few chapters later strongly implying This should have been an easy five stars for me, as enthusiastic as I am about the topic and how well he made the argument throughout most of the book which troubles me about the objectiveness of my other reviews. But the first sign of trouble was the vignette at the beginning of Chapter 14 where he portrayed average people in a harsh, unnecessary, and harmful way to his argument. Dec 22, Bernhard rated it liked it. Lewis has a lot of great ideas, but they require incorporation with others. Lewis is a professor of planetary science at the University of Arizona. Oct 01, Erik Heter rated it really liked it Shelves: space. Bookmark this link for ALL your Amazon shopping! Power generations are assumed to be trivial without a detailed discussion. More filters. He argues that shortage of resources is " Also, mining is simply not sustainable, but the resources could be used to refuel ships exploring space beyond our solar system; we'll need any boost we can get for those long distance voyages Join John S. Lewis says is true, why wouldn't any clear thinking millionaire have started mining asteroids already? In this light, he asserts that "Shortage of resources is not a fact; it is an illusion born of ignorance". Lewis Lewis does come across as a dyed-in-the-wool, market-will-solve-everything capitalist, but I'm willing to forgive him that in light of his singularly insightful and well-presented argument for "mining the sky". Erdnahes Objekt — Erdnahe Objekte engl. Related Searches. Lewis as he contemplates milking the moons of Mars for water and hollowing out asteroids for space-bound homesteaders—all while demonstrating the economic and technical feasibility of plans that were once considered pure fiction. Mining the Sky: Untold Riches from the Asteroids, Comets, and Planets Reviews But that is to be expected for a book written in the nineties From a master historian, the definitive account of history's first terroristsAn offshoot of the Ismaili A very odd mix of science, fiction, and political discussion that is difficult at times to complete. Lewis has a lot of great ideas, but they require incorporation with others. Sign in to Purchase Instantly. A bold, gripping history of the first month of World War IWhen an assassin gunned It is well thought out and written, each chapter begins with a brief story like narrative taking place in the future, showing us various possibilities and exiting our imagination. Given the other activities Lewis proposes moving Phobos and Deimos, building a space elevator , this attitude seems paradoxical. In Emotional Design, cognitive scientist Don Norman shows how the principles of human psychology apply to the Lacks the imagination-capturing prose of Zubrin's Mars direct. Helix Bks. Porcus rated it it was amazing Feb 16, In , a genial Issues of reducing space launching cost and possibility of near-future propelling systems, which are critical, are ignored. The author should have stuck with the science where he seems more comfortable. Could it be that Obama's space advisers were influenced by Lewis in their decision to promote a human mission to a NEO over a return to the moon? If we can keep from destroying ourselves I think it is inevitable that we will explore the universe. John Lewis, a planetary science professor, provides scientifically backed arguments for using space resources to address problems on Earth. From Beethoven to Oscar Wilde, from Van Gogh to Hitler, Deborah Hayden throws new light on the effects of syphilis on the lives and works of seminal figures from the fifteenth to the twentieth centuries. I would love to be shown to be wrong about Dr. A bold, gripping history of the first month of World War IWhen an assassin gunned down Archduke Franz Ferdinand in late June , no one could have imagined the shocking bloodshed that would soon follow. In orbit, Lewis presses for solar power satellites SPS. Lew What begins with an outdated feel this book is already 20 years old ends in an incredibly optimistic and logical vision for the future. Development of self-replicating machines, another critical technology, is ignored. National Space Society uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. His interests in the chemistry and formation of the solar system and the economic development of space have made him a leading proponent of turning potentially hazardous near-Earth objects into attractive space resources. He argues that shortage of resources is " Details if other :. He proposes that for this to be economically feasible the majority of propellants and photovoltaic cells be manufactured using processed materials from the moons regolith. Captains of Consciousness offers a historical look at the origins of the advertising industry and About John S. This book is a bit wonkier than the other one - more math and formulae - but to get the ideas, the reader can breeze through those parts and take in the possibilities they offer. Mining the Sky: Untold Riches from the Asteroids, Comets, and Planets Read Online An interesting book, but a little bit scattered. Read more Preview — Mining the Sky by John S. In this light, he asserts that "Shortage of resources is not a fact; it is an illusion born of ignorance". This book is a bit wonkier than the other one - more math and formulae - but to get the ideas, the reader can breeze through those parts and take in the possibilities they offer. Oct 14, Bradley Mazurek rated it it was amazing. Thanks for telling us about the problem. But they rapidly and reluctantly reached the consensus that, by either intellectual or It helps NSS and does not cost you a cent! Lewis Views Read Edit View history. For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now. The book thinks asteroids are more viable economically than the planets. First, the valuable materials--metals and water--are more highly concentrated in the NEO's and second they are less expensive to travel to and from because of their significantly lower gravity than the moon. Instead of discussing the barriers of Solar Power Satellites SPS and possible technological advancements that can possibly overcome them, the author focuses on how useful SPS can be to humankind. Clearly technology has not accelerated as much as he foresaw, and the likes of Blue Origins and SpaceX are still focusing on the space tourism market.