Modern Exploration
The first chapters of the book are dedicated to current and near-future space projects. Zubrin explains that exploration is part of human nature, and today's space projects are the modern equivalents of the ancient voyages of exploration. Zubrin then talks about his own experience in the aerospace industry. He mentions several modern projects, most notably the development of a Single-stage to orbit vehicle. More projects for the near-future are mentioned, including further space station development.
Read more about this topic: Entering Space: Creating A Spacefaring Civilization
Famous quotes containing the words modern and/or exploration:
“The modern American tourist now fills his experience with pseudo-events. He has come to expect both more strangeness and more familiarity than the world naturally offers. He has come to believe that he can have a lifetime of adventure in two weeks and all the thrills of risking his life without any real risk at all.”
—Daniel J. Boorstin (b. 1914)
“For women who do not love us, as for the “disappeared”, knowing that we no longer have any hope does not prevent us form continuing to wait. We live on our guard, on watch; women whose son has gone asea on a dangerous exploration imagine at any minute, although it has long been certain that he has perished, that he will enter, miraculously saved, and healthy.”
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922)