Becoming Martian - by Scott Solomon (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

How living in space will affect future generations--and what the potential unintended consequences of space settlements are.

We are on the cusp of a golden age of space travel in which, for the first time, it will be possible for large numbers of people to venture into space. Some intend to stay. But what happens--and will happen--to us in the extreme conditions of space? What should space tourists expect to happen to them during a journey to an orbiting space station, the Moon, or Mars? What would happen to children born on another planet? Would they evolve into a new species? In Becoming Martian, Scott Solomon explores the many ways in which humanity's migration into space will change our bodies and our minds.

This book focuses on the latest science, taking readers to the front lines of research. We hear from astronauts, including Scott Kelly who writes the foreword, and we join a team of scientists guiding a rover across the surface of Mars. We visit a high-security lab where engineers are simulating space radiation to measure its effects on the body. We travel to isolated islands where field biologists are gleaning insights into evolutionary processes applicable to people isolated on faraway planets. We meet synthetic biologists developing gene-editing tools to equip future humans to thrive in alien environments. We watch a rocket designed to carry humanity to Mars make its first successful launch. And then we ask, knowing what we know: Should we go?

Review Quotes

ENDORSEMENTS

"We are living in a golden age of human space exploration, and Scott Solomon expertly reveals both the wonders and the challenges of life beyond Earth and the importance of emphasizing people at the center of scientific research in space."
--Kellie Gerardi, research astronaut; author of the Luna Muna series

"The colonization of other worlds will alter the very definition of what it means to be human. How might crossing oceans of space transform us? Will the risks be worth it? Scott Solomon's Becoming Martian is a deft exploration of issues that will be of cosmic importance for the long-term survival of humanity."
--Mark W. Moffett, author of The Human Swarm

"Solomon is an explorer, storyteller, and particularly gifted explainer of evolutionary biology. So, naturally, Becoming Martian is a fascinating and insightful look at our species' past, present, and interplanetary future!"
--Kelly Weinersmith, Adjunct Faculty, Rice University; coauthor of A City on Mars

"An engaging ride through the philosophy, technology, and grit needed to survive and then thrive on the red planet."
--Christopher Mason, Professor, Cornell University; author of The Next 500 Years

"A clear-eyed, fast-paced, fascinating, and balanced vision of the biological realities of human settlements beyond Earth. A must-read for anyone interested in the human future."
--Rob Dunn, author of The Call of the Honeyguide

"Scott Solomon has thought more than most about the topic of space exploration and human evolution. Everyone who is concerned about humanity's future on Earth and beyond will benefit from reading this book."
--Frank White, author of The Overview Effect

About the Author

Scott Solomon is Teaching Professor at Rice University in Houston. He is also a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. He is the author of Future Humans, named a 2017 Best Book by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He is also the host of the podcast Wild World with Scott Solomon and cowriter and coproducer of the podcast Becoming Martian.