Christian Davenport chronicles the private space race driven by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos as they challenge the aerospace establishment. The narrative follows the development of SpaceX and Blue Origin, focusing on the technical and financial hurdles of perfecting reusable rocket technology. Davenport tracks the legal battles against legacy contractors like United Launch Alliance and the shifting relationship between these startups and NASA. Key figures include visionary engineers and risk-taking billionaires who aim to lower the cost of orbit by landing boosters vertically on pads and autonomous ships.
This book serves enthusiasts of commercial spaceflight and technology history who want to understand the logistics of the New Space industry. Readers learn how private capital and iterative engineering cycles replaced the risk-averse procurement models of the late twentieth century. It provides a clear view of the logistical competition for government contracts and the engineering breakthroughs required to make human settlement of the solar system economically viable. One gains a factual perspective on the personal rivalry fuelled by the divergent philosophies of "fail fast" versus "gradual progress."
Outward-looking, growth-minded and clear-cut; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2018
- Language
- EN
