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This book is the first work to assess the full impacts of space expansion, past, present and future. Thinking about space, and the visions fervently promoted by the global space movement, are dominated by geographic misperceptions and utopian illusions. The parts of space where almost all activity has occurred are part of the planet Earth, its astrosphere, and are, in practical terms, smaller than the atmosphere. Contrary to frontier visions, orbital space is already congested and degraded with dangerous space debris. The largest impact of actual space activities is an increased likelihood of catastrophic nuclear war stemming from the use of orbital space and space technology to lob nuclear weapons at intercontinental distances. Building large-scale orbital infrastructures will probably require or produce world government. The ultimate goal of space advocates, the colonization of Mars and asteroids, is promoted to guarantee the survival of humanity if major catastrophes strike Earth. But the spread of humanity into a multi-planet species will likely produce an interstate anarchy highly prone to total war, with Earth having many disadvantages. Altering the orbits of asteroids, a readily achievable technology vital for space colonization, also makes possible 'planetoid bombs' with destructive potentials millions of times great than all nuclear weapons. The biological diversification of humanity into multiple species, anticipated by space advocates, will further stoke interworld wars. Astrocide - the extinction of humanity resulting from significant space expansion - must join the lengthening list of potential threats to human survival. Large-scale space expansion should be relinquished in favour of an Earth-oriented space program of arms control and planetary security.

OUTER SPACE--STRATEGIC ASPECTS --- OUTER SPACE--EXPLORATION --- OUTER SPACE--CIVILIAN USE --- SPACE WARFARE --- GEOPOLITICS

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The spaceflight industry is being revolutionized. It is no longer the sole preserve of professional astronauts working on government-funded manned spaceflight programs. As private companies are being encouraged to build and operate launch vehicles, and even spacecraft that can be hired on a contract basis, a new breed of astronauts is coming into being. Astronauts for Hire describes how this commercial astronaut corps will be selected and trained. It provides a unique insight into the kinds of missions and tasks that the astronauts will be involved in, from suborbital science missions to commercial trips to low Earth orbit. The book also describes the new fleet of commercial spaceships being developed - reusable rocket-propelled vehicles that will offer quick, routine, and affordable access to the edge of space. The author also explores the possibility of private enterprise establishing interplanetary spaceports, lunar bases, and outposts on the surface of Mars.

Astronautics -- Economic aspects. --- Astronauts. --- Outer space -- Civilian use. --- Astronautics --- Astronauts --- Mechanical Engineering --- Engineering & Applied Sciences --- Aeronautics Engineering & Astronautics --- Economic aspects --- Astronautics. --- Outer space --- Exploration. --- Solar system --- Exploration --- Engineering. --- Management. --- Industrial management. --- Astronomy. --- Aerospace engineering. --- Aerospace Technology and Astronautics. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Innovation/Technology Management. --- Space sciences --- Aeronautics --- Astrodynamics --- Space flight --- Space vehicles --- Aeronautical engineering --- Engineering --- Physical sciences --- Business administration --- Business enterprises --- Business management --- Corporate management --- Corporations --- Industrial administration --- Management, Industrial --- Rationalization of industry --- Scientific management --- Management --- Business --- Industrial organization --- Administration --- Industrial relations --- Organization --- Construction --- Industrial arts --- Technology --- Civilian use.

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This book provides an overview of key topics related to space business and management. Case studies and an integrative section are included to illustrate the fundamental concepts and to build intuition. Key topics in the field, such as risk management and cost management, are covered in detail.

Aerospace engineering -- Economic aspects. --- Outer space -- Civilian use -- Economic aspects. --- Space sciences -- Economic aspects. --- Space sciences --- Aerospace engineering --- Management --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Business & Economics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Astrophysics --- Management Theory --- Economic aspects --- Economic aspects. --- Outer space --- Civilian use --- Aeronautical engineering --- Science and space --- Space research --- Business. --- Management. --- Industrial management. --- Space sciences. --- Aerospace engineering. --- Astronautics. --- Quality control. --- Reliability. --- Industrial safety. --- Business and Management. --- Innovation/Technology Management. --- Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Sciences. --- Aerospace Technology and Astronautics. --- Quality Control, Reliability, Safety and Risk. --- Aeronautics --- Astronautics --- Engineering --- Cosmology --- Science --- Astronomy --- Astrophysics. --- System safety. --- Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics). --- Administration --- Industrial relations --- Organization --- Safety, System --- Safety of systems --- Systems safety --- Accidents --- Industrial safety --- Systems engineering --- Astrodynamics --- Space flight --- Space vehicles --- Astronomical physics --- Cosmic physics --- Physics --- Prevention --- Industrial accidents --- Industries --- Job safety --- Occupational hazards, Prevention of --- Occupational health and safety --- Occupational safety and health --- Prevention of industrial accidents --- Prevention of occupational hazards --- Safety, Industrial --- Safety engineering --- Safety measures --- Safety of workers --- System safety --- Dependability --- Trustworthiness --- Conduct of life --- Factory management --- Industrial engineering --- Reliability (Engineering) --- Sampling (Statistics) --- Standardization --- Quality assurance --- Quality of products --- Business administration --- Business enterprises --- Business management --- Corporate management --- Corporations --- Industrial administration --- Management, Industrial --- Rationalization of industry --- Scientific management --- Business --- Industrial organization