Order History
Premium Membership & Rewards
Help Center / FAQ
On the Challenger Anniversary, Stories to Honor Space Pioneers
On this day in 1986, the loss of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger woke us up to the very real human costs of space exploration. The lives of Dick Scobee, Mike Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnick, Ronald McNair, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe ended tragically on flight STS-51-L, but it is their pioneering spirit and fearless scientific curiosity that we celebrate.
We are often inspired by science fiction, as they undoubtedly were. While speculative exploits can’t compare with those of real-life space heroes, books can capture some sense of the adventure, hardship, and triumph that awaits us beyond our thin bubble of atmosphere. Each of these books below paints a compelling picture of our inevitable future in space, as our innate need to explore, and push beyond the boundaries of what we know, leads us to a better future.
Heart of the Comet by Gregory Benford and David Brin
Published to coincide with the most recent fly-by of Halley’s Comet, this near-future story came out in 1986. It tells of a harrowing expedition to the comet’s surface, during which a team of scientists, engineers, and laborers plan to set up camp deep within its core and ride it to the edge of our solar system. Naturally, nothing goes quite to plan. It’s an engaging thriller, but also a reminder that we’ll take all of our social, political, and religious baggage with us to the stars, and be granted new opportunities to overcome our differences.
Mars by Ben Bova
A deeply plausible story of humanity’s first trip to Mars features a multi-national cast of characters lead by Native American Jamie Waterman. Freezing temperatures, meteors, and mysterious medical maladies highlight a nuts-and-bolts story of daily challenges and constant struggle for survival. Andy Weir’s more recent The Martian has a similar feel.
Ships in 1-2 days.
Voyage by Stephen Baxter
An alternate history in which President Kennedy was never killed, and in which mankind committed to a future of human space exploration immediately after the moon landing. Mars is a theme with several of these books, and Voyage follows the astronauts, politicians, and scientists who spent this version of the 70s planning for a journey to the red plant, which ultimately blasts off in 1986. Baxter explores some of the choices that we’ve made in our space programs over the last several decades, for better and worse.
Bowl of Heaven by Gregory Benford and Larry Niven
This recent series-starter takes human exploration further into the future than any of the previous books, but also suggests that we won’t be able to set aside the challenges inherent in any human endeavor any time soon. The book tells of the first Earth expedition to another star system and of an encounter with an unimaginably large object on the way.
Ships in 1-2 days.
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Written concurrently with the movie, this classic combines very hard science with existential wonder. Lost in the mechanics of space travel, frequently, is the sense of awe that sends us out there to begin with. The journey of the Discovery One to Saturn leads Dave Bowman back to the origins—the very soul—of humanity. A fitting metaphor, perhaps, for all that we face, and all that we have to gain, from exploration.
What science fiction inspires you?