Most of this book is fiction about the possible exploration of Mars in the future and travel to a near star.

There are enough facts mentioned about progress in space travel to support the fact that more advanced space travel is possible. Having a colony of people on Mars could provide ideas to people living on earth to have a more healthy life. With growing world population and declining resources, because of the degrading environment we must think about life in the future.

Historical milestones in space exploration

With Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong was able to set foot on the surface of the moon and give the first opportunity for astronauts to travel in space outside of the earth's orbit. He wore a pressurized space suit to move about on the moon's surface. Because the moon has no air or water, he had to return to earth in a short time. Additional Apollo trips were made to the moon including a moon buggy for short range transportation. Further trips to the moon were canceled because of the development of the International Space Station and the Shuttle.

Rocket probes and robotic rovers which made the voyage to Mars landed to explore for water and minerals. Rockets have become a double-edged sword that can be used for Fourth of July celebrations and for space exploration, where they are put to good use. When used in warfare as ICBMs or in small military missiles, they can become lethal tools of war.

Factual and fictional rocket events

This book is partially factual dealing with rocket events that have occurred. Some of the mostly fiction Martian rocket events in the book still have to happen.

Key figures in space travel history

Hermann Oberth, a German physicist, was considered the Father of Space Travel, who Werner von Braun admired. The United States allowed Werner von Braun to come to America after World War II to prevent German missile technology from falling into Russian hands and help the U.S. Army missile programs to get started and developed.

Our space technology grew from von Braun's early work on Army missiles and with his work at the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. Rocket work at Redstone Arsenal paved the way for NASA to develop the Apollo moon rocket. After the Apollo missions to the moon, rocket propulsion helped lift the Space Shuttle and Space Station into earth orbit. The idea of going to Mars was considered the next space goal.

Robotics and future space exploration

The use of robotics in space, sending men to Mars, and finding life somewhere in space has stimulated space enthusiasts. Rocket propulsion has shown that payloads can be carried from small distances to intercontinental and outer space distances. Rockets have been and are now being used for peaceful purposes to put up satellites for television, communication systems, and GPS uses.

Robotic vehicles such as the Curiosity rover have landed on Mars and explored for water and atmospheric conditions. The use of robotic vehicles and robots aiding astronauts in the future can pave the way for the eventual use of human astronauts for trips to Mars.

Science fiction and the reality of Mars

There have been many science fiction stories about Mars. The stories have told about people living on Mars in advanced societies and how easy it was to take trips to Mars and fly around in rocket spaceships. We now know that Mars is a hostile environment with no air for humans and no liquid water to be found. This book shows the challenges of going to Mars and the stars and providing life support for the astronauts.

Acknowledgments

This book is dedicated to my family and friends and to those who have helped me along the way to gain knowledge and move to a life in engineering and rocket technology.