posted 10-25-2017 02:27 PM
Recently I was listening to BBC Radio two on a Saturday morning and Dallas Campbell, a broadcaster well known for his science and technology programmes, was being interviewed on the Dermott O'Leary show. He was talking about his new book "Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide To Leaving The Planet" and mentioned he would be at the Space Centre in Leicester in the afternoon giving a talk. So I duly went.He has a friendly and expressive style and used youngsters from the audience to demonstrate space experiments which were very entertaining.
Afterwards I met him and bought his book, which he signed. He said he was relieved to know that someone had been listening to him on the radio as when you're in the studio you sometimes wonder! As the records were being played he was talking to Dermot who seemed interested in space. He was very genial to all when signing.
I have nearly finished the book and it is informative in a quirky kind of way. Well written and enjoyable. Why I have posted this here is because in his notes on page 244 he credits our very own cS member Rick Mulheirn, along with Danny Van Hoecke, with his Fallen Astronaut story on page 176 (not 194 as incorrectly given in the notes) and suggests for more information read "Honour to the Fallen Astronauts," Spaceflight, The British Interplanetary Society, vol. 57, no. 10, 382-388, October 2015.
Well done Rick for some obviously good work.
Ad Astra: An Illustrated Guide to Leaving the Planet
by Dallas Campbell
Need some space?For almost all human history we've been firmly rooted to the Earth. And, sure, it's got some good things going for it: nice views, friendly inhabitants, good coffee. Air. But what if you want to get off?
Whether you've got itchy feet and need a bit of a break, or you're looking for a complete change of scene, this book has all the information you'll need to leave, with FREE expert advice from the men and woman who can actually make it happen.
Do I need a passport? How do I know if I have the right stuff? Can I take my dog? What spacesuit do I need? Where am I going to go? What am I going to eat?
As well as being a deeply impractical guide to getting off the planet, this is an eclectic and beautifully illustrated mix-tape of space travel stories – both real and imagined. From the migrating lunar geese that flew us to the moon in the 1600's, to Elon Musk's wild plan to get humans to Mars en masse in the future; from the history of early rocket science to the Soviet tortoises that secretly won the space race.
A collection for anyone who has looked up in wonder at the stars... And then wondered how to get there.
- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Simon & Schuster Ltd (October 1, 2017)
- ISBN-10: 1471164055
- ISBN-13: 978-1471164057
posted 10-25-2017 02:27 PM
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