Toward Distant Suns by T. A. Heppenheimer (review)

64 B00k.S be solved before we take on galactic responsibilitie\” Or are our present differences and competitions to be projected into space as an eternal human .yturm und hung‘?These questions lie under the surface in the last half of Asimov’s book. The attention given them lett this reviewer dissatisfied-not in the answers-but in the depth o f the questions. Part of the reason for this may be revealed by two aspects of‘the presentation. First. there is virtually no visual material in A3imo\’\ book. It is literary and historical rather than visual and evocative.T-he richness of the universe somehow does not flash through the words and numbers. Finally. where can the reader proceed from this introduction’?ThereI S an index. but there is no bibliography. The other volumes mentioned here, to which Asimov likely owes something. have euten\ive bibliographies. In such a work, dependent as it is on the work of‘othm for ideas and facts, it is a breach of confidence not t o includc at least a list for further reading. if not acknowledgement o f pertinent sources. Toward Distant Suns. T. A. Heppenheimer. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, 1979. 256 pp.. illus. $16.95. ISBN: 0-81 171578 -7. Reviewed by David A. Hardy* In these days of cut-backs in the lJ.S. space programme. that will ~ I I o H NASA very few projects for the unmanned exploration of the planets after the Voyager probes have left our Solar System. there is a strong need for books like this to help keep the ‘dream’ alive There is a lot of practical, yet non-technical information in this book on how Heppenheimer believes the development of manned space travel should proceed. Using the Space Shuttle as a starting point, he discusses large-antenna communications satellites. orbital platforms. space colonies. artificial intelligence. and interstellar vehicles-to mention just a few fascinating subjects to be found in this book. The author sees the construction of satellite power stations as the chief justification for colonising space (a somewhat short-sighted viewpoint. perhaps), and sees the whole process as a unified development. As a preliminary to this. the development of very large booster rockets is outlined. Historical parallels are drawn between the evolution o f large sea-going iron ships, aviation and space travel. Much of this material on space colonies is in fact contained in the author’s previous book. C‘olonier in Spucc,. and can also be found i n Gerard K . O’Neill’s The High Frontier (see review. I.eonordo 12, 72 (1979)): O’Neill wrote the Foreword for the book under review. However, it is largely updated and hence a welcome contribution. Heppenheimer sees space colonies as initially small and unglamorous. and under strict governmental control. As they grow. independenceand private ownership are expected to increase. along with the emergence ol space colony social patterns. 1.here are interesting insights into living and working conditions within a space colony. and hcdonists may look forward with anticipation to the sporting, recreational and sexual activities offered by 7ero-g (weightless) conditions Toward the end of the book the author investigates the possibilities of extraterrestrial civilisations and travel from Earth to stars. and v i w wrso. He concludes that Earth has never been visited by alien intelligences. and (surprisingly) that the human race may in fact be unique in the universe, but sees no reason why we should not travel t o planets of other stars in the future. A book of this type usually benefits from good artists‘interpretations of the author’s plans and imaginings.In Heppenheimer’s book thereare many black-and-white illustrations, plus an eight-page colour section. yet this reviewer felt the illustrations to be, in some respects, the book’s weakest point. The title page states: ’With Artwork by Don Dixon’ Dixon is well-known as a young American space artist. but few ifany of‘ the illustrations appear to have been commissioned especially lor TowzrdDirtant .Sum. and manvare not by Dixon but wpplied by NASA or other aerospace organisations. so have appeared elsewhere. In addition. many of Dixon’s illustrations. whether in colour...