Argues that a manned expedition to Mars could cost less than one- tenth of the $400 billion cited by NASA, is possible with existing technology and expertise, could be funded with a combination of public and private money, is not as dangerous as some think, and is necessary to explore the planet thoroughly. The trick is to use resources on Mars to produce the fuel, oxygen, food, ceramics, plastics, and metals needed to turn an expedition into a permanent colony. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Human settlement on Mars need not await the development of gigantic interplanetary spaceships, anti-matter propulsion systems or orbiting space bases, assert the authors of this exciting, visionary report. Instead, the "Mars Direct" plan--developed in 1990 by astronautical engineer Zubrin, and presented to NASA, where it has won supporters--calls for sending a crew and their artificial habitat directly to Mars via the upper stage of the same booster rocket that lifted them to Earth orbit. Then the crew will live off the land, growing greenhouse crops, tapping subsurface groundwater, manufacturing useful materials, constructing plastic domes and brick structures the size of shopping malls. Geothermal power would be tapped from hot regions near once-active volcanoes. Zubrin, senior engineer at Martin Marietta, and Wagner, a former editor of Ad Astra, weaken their case by arguing that a nascent human civilization on Mars will revive Earth's frontier spirit and American democracy, saving Western civilization from technological stagnation. Nevertheless, their detailed blueprint makes a fast-track mission to Mars--with an estimated price tag of $20-$30 billion--seem remarkably doable. Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Zubrin, a senior engineer with Martin Marietta, and science writer Wagner (Inside Compuserve, New Riders, 1995), here present the case for Zubrin's Mars Direct plan for sending manned missions to the Red Planet in the near future. Zubrin proposes to lower dramatically the lift-off weight, and thus the cost, of manned Mars missions by using off-the-shelf hardware whenever possible but especially through a conceptual breakthrough that centers on using in situ Martian resources to manufacture the rocket fuel needed for the return journey. This would eliminate the requirement of hauling the total fuel load from Earth, thereby reducing the cost NASA's "business as usual" approach of $450 billion to $50 billion. It's a visionary proposal, but Zubrin makes a convincing case, arguing that eventually humankind will terraform Mars to make its climate more earthlike for future generations of colonists. The recent discovery of possible ancient Martian microbe fossils, plus the launch of the unmanned Mars Surveyor mission this fall, will likely create demand for this title. Recommended for academic and public libraries.Thomas J. Frieling, Bainbridge Coll., Ga. Copyright 1996 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

When ex-president Bush proclaimed crewed missions to Mars as NASA's next goal, his vision thing went out of focus because of a $450 billion price tag. But according to aerospace engineer Zubrin, America needn't spend a tenth of its GNP to get there; $40 billion will suffice. His Mars Direct proposal economizes by bypassing the space station boondoggle and sending straight to Mars spacecraft that can make their own rocket fuel right there, out of the carbon dioxide atmosphere. That simple concept, based on 1890s chemical technology, unlocks a breathtaking vista sure to dazzle any space enthusiast. Zubrin begins with the design of the spacecraft and the possible profiles for the mission, then proposes strengthening the initial base by mining water and building brick houses; eventually, Mars might be terraformed by evaporating its southern ice cap. An articulate expositor of achievable futurism, Zubrin strives marvelously to ignite interest in the exploration of Mars, interest certain to increase when the next spacecraft to Mars is launched in upcoming months. (Reviewed October 15, 1996)0684827573Gilbert Taylor From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

With the planned flights to Mars--Global Surveyor and Pathfinder in late 1996--there will be considerable interest in the red planet over the next few years. Zubrin takes a look beyond the planned unmanned flights; he presents a blueprint for landing people on Mars and eventually colonizing it. His plan is detailed and thorough, and in many ways quite ingenious: one of his main ideas is to use Martian resources as much as possible. He shows how the problems of radiation, zero gravity, contamination, and dust storms can be overcome, and offers detailed plans for exploring the planet, looking into such things as communication, and keeping one's bearings in the extensive deserts. He also extrapolates to the long-term future, discussing colonization and terraforming. Zubrin, a former senior engineer at Lockheed Martin, has published more than a hundred articles on space propulsion and exploration. He writes for the lay person; his prose is easy to read and interesting. Glossary; black-and-white photos. Strongly recommended. General; undergraduates; faculty; professionals. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.