Next Stop Mars - The Why, How, And When Of Human Missions - Giancarlo Genta

. .

Résumé :
Since the 19th century, a possible human mission to Mars has been the subject of science fiction, engineering and scientific study and, since the 1950s, a goal of national space programs. Next Stop Mars looks at the why, how, and when such a mission could be achieved. After first covering previously planned but never executed missions, the book details the mission design, preparation and equipment necessary to send astronauts on this interplanetary journey, including using the Moon as a base. Among other issues, the environment that will be experienced on Mars, mobility on the planet, the lifestyle that can be expected, and the mental and physical demands on the explorers are all discussed. Finally, what next ? Some futuristic possibilities are brought into the story that could lead to visits to - and possibly even the colonization of - Mars.

Biographie:

Giancarlo Genta has been full Professor of Construction of Machines since 1987 and taught courses on Astronautic Propulsion, Construction of aircraft engines and motor vehicle technology. Since 1997 he has been Professor of Applied Stress Analysis II at the Master of Science courses of the University of Michigan which are held at the Politecnico di Torino.

His research activity has been focused on those subjects of Applied Mechanics more linked with the construction of machines, and particularly on static and dynamic structural analysis, dynamics of rotating machinery and of controlled systems, magnetic bearings. He is one of the founders of the Interdepartimental Mechatronics Laboratory of Politecnico di Torino, in which he works in the development of magnetic bearings and walking robots and components for spacecraft. Since 2012 he has chaired of study group SG 3.16 of the International Academy of Astronautics addressing a possible Mars mission's exploration, goals, requirements and technologies.

Giancarlo Genta is author of 24 books, 90 papers, published in Italian, American and English Journals and 263 papers presented to symposia. Two of the books are text books of Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Mechanics of Vibration and Mechanics of Space Robots (published in Italian and English), used in Italian and American Universities. Giancarlo Genta has previously co-authored a well received popular science book on space exploration with Michael Rycroft, published by Cambridge University Press. It received very good reviews, including a very favourable one from A.C. Clarke (see his website www.giancarlogenta.it) and a popular science book on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. He has also written two science fiction novels published in the Science and Fiction series by Springer.