posted 11-02-2025 04:23 PM               

At first, given that I had limited knowledge of how to begin or promote such an endeavour, a truly difficult proposition, but one I was delighted to accept. Many obstacles and an incredible lot of hard work later, the wheels finally began to turn, and I am always delighted to say that when I needed to find those first prospective authors, the first place I turned to was collectSPACE and the amazing, eclectic group of enthusiasts who inhabit the forum every day. It did not let me down, and never has.

In recent consulatation with UNP, I have broached the subject of bringing the series to an end. As things stand at the moment, there are another seven books in the offing, either contracted and under way with research and writing, or undergoing the editing and publication process. These seven books should fill the next five years before all are published, by which time I feel that the series would have gone well beyond everyone's earlier expectations.

The question I put to UNP was whether they felt, like me, that just about every avenue of space history has been covered and it was time to wind up the Outward Odyssey series. Somewhat surprsingly, they believed there was still plenty of life in the series and would be happy for it to continue, despite my thoughts of retiring as series editor.

I therefore decided that I would turn back to collectSPACE and its readers and contributors before making a final decision on the series continuing. There may still be stories out there waiting to be told, so if anyone feels they have a new space-related book concept and the necessary amount of expertise and enthusiasm to put it together as a book, I am willing to assess it (no guarantees). This new approach will determine the viability and future of the series and my further, personal involvement in the series.

posted 11-02-2025 05:52 PM               

I for one would like the series to continue. After all, spaceflight is continuing to evolve... commercial companies and "new" countries such as China, India, Japan and UAE are all changing the dynamics of spaceflight. Also, unfortunately, there's an old dynamic that probably needs to be written about too, e.g. the militarization of space.

While I realize that Eric Berger is the "SpaceX whisperer", it seems self evident that when Starship finally becomes operational, we will have reached the equivalent era of when the DC-3 changed airflight, with all that that implies to what gets sent into space.

posted 11-03-2025 09:45 AM               

I personally benefited from your generosity in allowing me to write a chapter for one of those books. That "break" gave me the confidence to keep writing space history.

posted 11-03-2025 02:00 PM               

Without question, Colin, you have well earned the right to declare mission accomplished. I remember when we first talked, and the series had two goals – publish eight books about spaceflight history, and to foster a new vanguard of space authors. You've succeeded beyond expectations on both counts, many times over.

But I also completely see where UNP is coming from. The series over time has become much larger than that original goal. My next book hinges around an event that took place a year after Homesteading Space was published. History continues, and Outward Odyssey continues to chronicle it.

I'll admit my selfish bias is toward "keep going." When I decided to start working on book three, you were the first person I emailed. It's an honor to be part of this family, and my first choice as an author has always been to be part of this series. But if you do decide it's time to tie a bow on it, you leave behind an incredible legacy with this amazing collection.

posted 11-03-2025 05:18 PM               

In order to maintain the series I decided to issue a fresh plea to any budding authors and their ideas out there through collectSPACE and I can reveal it has already started to bear fruit. I have not yet approached "Quest" or any other possible source until I gauge the reaction here.

Should the time come when I do decide to retire as series editor the plan worked out with UNP is that any future potential authors will make direct contact with UNP rather than going through me as an intermediary. So please know that the series will definitely continue for the time being, and hopefully this fresh appeal will bring forth several new ideas for potential books.

In response to a query about the seven books that are now contracted and in various stages of research, writing and publication, they are (with working titles that may change and not necessarily in order of publication):

• Born to Explore (Jay Gallentine)
  
• Selling Space (Neil Da Costa and Hart Sastrowardoyo
  
• Martian Mobility (Jay Gallentine)
  
• Permission to Come Aboard (Charles Walker)
  
• Rocket Science (David Hitt)
  
• Challenge to Apollo (fully updated over two volumes) (Asif Sidiqqi)

posted 11-06-2025 05:16 AM               

Henry, Charlie told me just recently that he has a case of the guilts about taking so long to finish off his manuscript, but is going to get it done just as soon as he can.

posted 09-08-2026 10:37 PM               

There will be no seismic shift; if anyone has thoughts on future series books I will instead direct them to communicate directly with UNP, who may even decide to appoint a new series editor. That is entirely up to them. Meanwhile, I will continue to work with the authors of the six books that are currently in various stages of preparation and will hopefully see all six published before my official retirement from Outward Odyssey.

I do have to report that after many years Charlie Walker has finally decided he is unable to complete his book, so that one is sadly deleted from the manifest. Those still remaining are:

• MARTIAN MOBILITY
  Author: Jay Gallentine
  Foreword: TBA
  Stage of Development: Manuscript nearing completion

• SELLING SPACE: The Spaceflight Participants Story (working title only)
  Authors: Neil Da Costa and Hart Sastrowardoyo
  Foreword: TBA
  Stage of development: Writing well under way

• CHALLENGE TO APOLLO (Over 2 volumes: much revised and updated)
  Author: Asif Siddiqi
  Stage of development: Well advanced; 1st Volume manuscript submission August 2026

• ROCKET SCIENCE: Ares I-X and a New Era in Space Exploration
  Author: David Hitt
  Stage of development: Revising ms prior to submission

• THE FLYING BRICK: Piloting the Space Shuttle
  Authors: Mel Croft and John Youskauskas
  Stage of development: Contract awarded, research and writing now begun

There is absolutely no bitterness in my decision; in fact, quite the opposite. In the past 23 years I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of setting the series in motion, locating, advising and mentoring new (mostly) authors, and working with the tremendous team at UNP, particularly Acquisitions Editor Rob Taylor. But I do need to draw back from some of my commitments, and as I have far less involvement now compared to the pioneering years of the series, I feel it is time to hang up my steering wheel.

posted 09-09-2026 06:55 PM            

And: very much looking forward to “one last hike down the trail” as we bring the Mars rover book to completion.

posted 09-09-2026 11:34 PM               

You have not only been a mentor, but a good friend, and because of you, I have met and become friends with so many other amazing people who have written for this series as well. I can never properly thank you for all you have done.

posted 09-10-2026 08:33 AM               

In all seriousness, you have done an amazing thing.

I could – and do – sing the praises of the Outward Odyssey series at length. There is no more thorough history of spaceflight out there; there's not even really a meaningful second place to what you have created. You have created a record like no other of how we got to where we are in space; the world is better that it exists.

I could – and do – sing the praises of the Outward Odyssey series at length, but there's no need for me to. The recognition the series has garnered speaks for itself.

Less widely sung, but clear in this thread, is that you created not only a collection of books, but a collection of authors. You talked 20 years ago about creating a new vanguard of space historians, and the impact they've had beyond those first eight books is immense. The space world is better for the fruits of the opportunities you have given.

I'm grateful for the chance to have written (and be writing) my contributions to the series. I'm proud of their legacy.

I'm grateful to have had the chance to "be an author." Somehow a newspaper reporter became a rocket scientist, and signing that contract with UNP was a huge inflection point in that journey. I'll echo Michelle that you changed my life.

But I'm also so grateful to have had the chance to be an Outward Odyssey author. I'm grateful to number among such a distinguished group of peers, and to call you all collaborators and friends. A few weeks ago, I was at the National Air and Space Museum watching Francis French talk space history with my son Owen. The fact that I get to be friends with Francis French, and the fact that my son is named Owen, owes a huge burden to you.

And now, like Jay said – let's do it one more time! — David

PS I'd be remiss, posting this here on cS, if I didn't also note the important role this site and its founder have played in this journey, for which I'm also enduringly grateful...

posted 09-10-2026 09:34 AM               

Along those same lines, Colin, I have expressed this to you before, but it bears repeating: one of the major points of pride I take in having created collectSPACE has been providing the forum through which you have been able to not only bring about the Outward Odyssey series, but do so with so many new authors found through this community. I am very grateful for your participation here, too, adding a wealth of information to this site.

posted 09-10-2026 01:47 PM            

For my part, I am very grateful for all of your support, guidance and encouragement. After I contributed two chapters to "Footprints in the Dust" you suggested I might want to consider "writing a whole book." I had to decline while I was working full-time, but after I retired in 2017, we talked over a few interesting options and we both liked the idea of a full biography of Ron Evans, at that time one of the least known Apollo astronauts. The result was "A Long Voyage to the Moon" and I will always consider that volume to be as much your book as mine: certainly it would not have existed without your impetus and support.

posted 09-11-2026 03:02 PM               

I feel lucky and privileged that Emily and I were able to contribute a book to the series. We worked extra hard on "Star Bound" knowing that we were going to be part of something much bigger and more important than just our individual contribution.

Second, CONGRATULATIONS. You created a wonderful multi-volume encyclopedia of space exploration that has brought a lot of joy to writers and readers alike. I sincerely hope the University of Nebraska will carry on with the mission, though I suspect the press will have a hard time finding someone of your caliber to guide the ship. In short, you are a GIANT, sir, and we are all the better for your work.