First published 2023
Kelly and Zach Weinersmith began researching space settlement expecting to champion humanity's cosmic future. Instead, they discovered troubling gaps in our preparation. Their investigation reveals that while space technology advances rapidly, we lack crucial knowledge about reproduction in zero gravity, sustainable agriculture beyond Earth, and governance structures that won't trigger terrestrial conflicts. The authors tackle questions both practical and bizarre: Can humans reproduce in space? Should private companies rule lunar colonies? What legal frameworks govern space warfare? They explore potential housing shortages at the Moon's Peaks of Eternal Light and survival strategies in the Craters of Eternal Darkness. The book examines everything from astronauts' preference for taco sauce to the legal implications of space cannibalism. Through rigorous research and accessible humor, the Weinersmiths challenge the assumption that expanding beyond Earth will solve our planetary problems, arguing instead that premature settlement could create new disasters both for space pioneers and those remaining on Earth.
Genres: science-fiction, space, non-fiction, technology
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: challenging-assumptions, investigative-journalism
Setting: Mars, Moon
Period: Future
436 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Press