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A review by schnaucl
Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.75
I always find Mary Roach's books to be highly interesting, educational, and funny, and this book was no exception. I'd say the majority of the book was focused more on what it took to get into space and survive trips once there rather than on getting to Mars specifically.
There were lots of fascinating tidbits, mostly focused on NASA but with some information about Russia and Japan as well.
It gives you a good idea of how every little detail needs to be thought through for spaceflight (and also that allowances need to be made for the fact that astronauts are human so it can't be all about efficiency and monetary cost).
I would have been interested to see how this is being impacted by so much of it being turned over to private enterprise, but maybe that's another book.
It was nice to hear that NASA is looking not for the alpha male fighter pilot type and more for the type of person who can be in a confined space with other people for a lengthy period of time.
Roach is definitely an author where I'd pick up a book on any topic she cares to write about because I know she'll make it a fantastic read.
There were lots of fascinating tidbits, mostly focused on NASA but with some information about Russia and Japan as well.
It gives you a good idea of how every little detail needs to be thought through for spaceflight (and also that allowances need to be made for the fact that astronauts are human so it can't be all about efficiency and monetary cost).
I would have been interested to see how this is being impacted by so much of it being turned over to private enterprise, but maybe that's another book.
It was nice to hear that NASA is looking not for the alpha male fighter pilot type and more for the type of person who can be in a confined space with other people for a lengthy period of time.
Roach is definitely an author where I'd pick up a book on any topic she cares to write about because I know she'll make it a fantastic read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, and Sexual harassment