What happened to the promising Space Age of 30 years ago? Klerkx offers a compelling if biased critique of NASA and its benefactors in Lost in Space. He delves into insider politics, showing how NASA bows to its major suppliers and congressional contributors. The result? Instead of Klerkx's claimed colonies on Mars, we have an unfinished, increasingly costly space station. The narrative generally flows well, even with some confusing acronyms, heavy financial issues, and erroneous history. The bigger issue is Klerkx's bias. Although he researched NASA's competitors and focused on two private endeavors, he did not interview NASA officials, weakening his indictment of the agency. Still, he's largely correct about the direction of our current Space Age efforts: spend your down payment on that Mars home elsewhere.

Prologue: Lost in Space

The Price of "Peace"

One Giant Leap

Escape Velocity

Back to the Future

The Belly of the Beast

Advance Reservations Required

Business in a Vacuum

Welcome to the Revolution

The Emperor of Mars

Mars on Earth

Lighting Out for the Territory

Afterword

Reference Notes

Acknowledgments

Index