author : Ronke Olabisi

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 book simply as an aide-memoire.)

This is a fascinating, informative, and deeply scary account of all the hazards affecting astronauts in space. The main point is that we evolved on and have adapted to a planet with gravity, a temperate atmosphere, little radiation, and with other people around. Attempting to live in an environment with high g forces (launch and re-entry), zero g (free fall), extreme heat and cold, vacuum, cosmic rays, boring food, mutating microbes, and confined isolation, is hard on both body and mind. That astronauts choose to put themselves through these stresses speaks volumes to their dedication.

Also, it turns out that many of the physical and psychological stressors have a lesser effect on women. Yet there are still relatively few women astronauts. Hmm.