Gerard K. O'Neill (1927–1992)

This book is a superb look at the possibilities of establishing space colonies and the many benefits that could ensue from doing so. The benefits could potentially solve many of the big problems facing mankind especially renewable energy (using solar power satellites) and, in the long run, climate change and over population. The latter could help alleviate many economic problems and potentially reduce conflict/war. The book was written in 1976, but the proposals were achievable with the show more technologies then available.

I first read this book in paperback about 30 years ago and was excited then with the prospects of this happening soon. However, economic and political realities have intervened so that the starting point is still in the future. Having re-read the book (this time as an ebook), I’m still excited about the future portrayed by such a visionary. Perhaps the time is right in the near future now that the commercial space industry has started up and with kick-starts like the Ansari X-Prize and the Google Lunar X-Prize. Thus, the proposals outlined in this book might be more readily achieved with the newer technologies developed in the commercial world than in the stop-start government space programs. show less

One of the half-dozen or so books (not literature) that profoundly affected my life.