author : Ariel Ekblaw

This is the course guidebook that accompanies the 12 lecture “Great Course” of the same name. It is essentially an abbreviated transcript of each lecture, a few pictures, and some related reading. (I watched the lectures, which is what I am reviewing here, and am using the online book simply as an aide-memoire.)

This short course overviews many aspects of future life in space, including space stations, moon and Mars bases, space suits, food and tourism. Unfortunately, each is covered in only superficial detail: in many cases, just as it was potentially becoming interestingly technical, the focus moved to the next topic. It felt more like an extended commercial or an over-optimistic pop-sci documentary series, rather than an educational lecture series.

So: potentially interesting topics, but more depth required. Try How to Survive in Space instead.