An exciting, inclusive look at manned space travel-from the celebration of past achievements, to a consideration of physiological challenges, to a passionate case for the human exploration of Mars.

Seeking to reenergize Americans' passion for the space program, the value of the Moon, and the importance of people in the final frontier, Claude A. Piantadosi presents a rich history of American space exploration and its extraordinary achievements. He emphasizes the importance of continuing manned and unmanned space missions to American and human interests, and he stresses the many adventures that still await us in the unfolding universe. Remaining cognizant of space exploration's practical and financial obstacles, Piantadosi nevertheless challenges us to revitalize our leadership in space and reap its vast scientific bounty.

Along with being a captivating story of ambition, invention, and discovery, Piantadosi's history explains why space exploration is increasingly difficult and why space experts always seem to disagree. He argues that the future of the space program requires merging the practicalities of exploration with the constraints of human biology. Space science deals with the unknown, and the margin (and budget) for error is small. Lethal near-vacuum conditions, deadly cosmic radiation, microgravity, vast distances, and highly scattered resources remain immense physical problems. To be competitive, America needs to develop affordable space transportation and flexible exploration strategies grounded in sound science. Piantadosi closes with suggestions for accomplishing these goals, combining his skepticism as a scientist with an unshakable belief in space's untapped-and wholly worthwhile-potential.

Claude A. Piantadosi, M.D., is professor and director of the F.G. Hall Environmental Laboratory at Duke University. He trained in Undersea Medicine and saturation diving in the U.S. Navy and in respiratory physiology and pulmonary medicine at Duke. He is the author of The Biology of Human Survival: Life and Death in Extreme Environments.