Where next, Columbus?

In the decades since the launch of Sputnik, the people of the world have thrilled to the long-dreamed-of moon walks of the Apollo astronauts, marveled at spectacular photographs of the outer planets brought to us by Voyager, and watched in horror as the Challenger exploded before our eyes. No longer the realm of science fiction, space has been hailed in popular culture as the "final frontier," the focal point of future exploration. Yet today there is no strong consensus about our future in space. Where should we go next? Mars? Deep space? Should we continue to send humans into space? Is it worth the cost to explore space at all? Now a curator of space history at the Smithsonian, Valerie Neal, has assembled a noted group of writers and thinkers to consider such questions. The result is an intriguing collection of essays that offers stimulating insights into the exploration of new worlds. . Boasting an oversize format and more than fifty color illustrations, this engaging volume offers readers a fascinating look at exploration's past and future. Several pieces vividly depict the actual experience of space travel and the many scientific findings made along the way. Harrison H. Schmitt