We use cookies to make your experience better. By continuing to browse our site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn more.
Ground Control by Savannah Mandel (Hardback)
£25.95
Out of stock
Product Ref. (e.g. ISBN, SKU)
9781641609920
Published:
31 Jul 2024
Format:
Hardback
Number of pages:
224 pages
Dimensions:
229x152x20mm
Weight:
0.494kgs
Author:
Savannah Mandel uses cultural anthropology to trace the trajectory of the space industry as it faces the social, political, and economic repercussions of commercial space ventures head-on. In doing so, Mandel holds the space industry accountable for its actions by asking the same questions that some thought leaders asked in the 1960s: Should we go? Is it worth it to send humans to space? What cultural outcomes will result from continued human space exploration and the colonization of other worlds? And last, what can we learn about our present selves by studying our most extreme visions of the future.
In the 1960s and '70s, America spent $20 billion dollars (around $150 billion by today's standards) to land humans on the moon, and "win" the Cold War. And while man took his first steps on an extraterrestrial landscape, protests at Cape Canaveral asked: Why waste money on space when there are so many issues here on Earth?
Fifty-one years later, an oligopoly of commercial space companies-SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic-has begun sending civilians into space. These civilians are the first generation of what will undoubtedly be an extensive family of space tourists. Commercial space companies aim to expand access to space, find new sources of energy, mine outer space resources, and conquer extraterrestrial lands. But their goals remain that of a capitalist and imperialist class, intent on new frontier profiteering.
The Last Astronaut uses cultural anthropology to trace the trajectory of the commercial space industry as it faces the social, political, and economic repercussions of commercial space ventures head on. Drawing on the author's research at Spaceport America and work in the commercial space industry, it offers an insider's glimpse of the side of human space exploration not often put on display.
In doing so, it holds the space industry accountable for its actions by asking the same questions that counterculture leaders asked in the 1960s: Should we go? Is it worth it-socially, politically, and economically-to send humans to space? What cultural outcomes will result from continued human space exploration and the colonization of other worlds? And lastly, what can we learn about our present selves by studying our most extreme visions of the future?
Fifty-one years later, an oligopoly of commercial space companies-SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic-has begun sending civilians into space. These civilians are the first generation of what will undoubtedly be an extensive family of space tourists. Commercial space companies aim to expand access to space, find new sources of energy, mine outer space resources, and conquer extraterrestrial lands. But their goals remain that of a capitalist and imperialist class, intent on new frontier profiteering.
The Last Astronaut uses cultural anthropology to trace the trajectory of the commercial space industry as it faces the social, political, and economic repercussions of commercial space ventures head on. Drawing on the author's research at Spaceport America and work in the commercial space industry, it offers an insider's glimpse of the side of human space exploration not often put on display.
In doing so, it holds the space industry accountable for its actions by asking the same questions that counterculture leaders asked in the 1960s: Should we go? Is it worth it-socially, politically, and economically-to send humans to space? What cultural outcomes will result from continued human space exploration and the colonization of other worlds? And lastly, what can we learn about our present selves by studying our most extreme visions of the future?
About the Author: Savannah Mandel is one of just several dozen space anthropologists worldwide and a PhD candidate in science, technology, and society at Virginia Tech. Mandel has conducted fieldwork at Spaceport America in addition to working with more than eighty commercial space companies. She holds several degrees in cultural anthropology and has had research featured in Ozy magazine, Anthropology Now, The Geek Anthropologist, Physics Today, and many more media outlets.
| Number of pages | 224 |
|---|
We will despatch your order as quickly as we can. If, for whatever reason, a product is out of stock we will contact you to discuss the likely delivery time or an alternative product.
| First Item | 2 Items & Over | |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £3.75 | £5.00 |
| EU | £15.00 | £30.00 |
| USA & Canada | £30.00 | £50.00 |
| Rest of the World | £45.00 | £60.00 |
| Collect in Store | free | free |
Additional Delivery Information (and some really important bits):
UK Delivery
Orders for delivery in the UK are normally despatched by Royal Mail, using the RM 48 Tracked Service with most orders delivered to you within a few days of placing your order with us. For larger parcels, Courier and Signed For delivery services may be used. Signed Books are shipped in our specially made book mailing cartons, with the books themselves wrapped in paper to protect them. Sometimes we may ship your order in several parts, particularly if you have 'Pre-Order' titles in your order or titles which are held in stock with our publishing partners.
The Really Important Bit: Because we use tracked, courier and signed for delivery services, please use an address at which your parcel can be received during the normal working day, for example, you may want to have your order delivered to your work address if you're not at home during the day.
First Item @ £3.75 (sometimes a shipping supplement may be added for particularly heavy books or specific postcodes*)
2 Items & over @ £5.00 in total
Another Really Important Bit: There are a number of Postcodes in the UK for which we will need to charge a shipping supplement, this will be calculated once we know the size and weight of the shipment. For these orders we will contact customers to agree a suitable and economic method of shipping. There may also be additional time required for delivery to some areas of the United Kingdom. Where possible, we will ship book orders (under 2kg) by Royal Mail to all UK postcodes. Large multiple book orders and books over 2kg are often shipped via APC Overnight or similar, regardless of Postcode.
Overseas Delivery
Shipments to EU countries:
First Item @ £15.00 (sometimes a shipping supplement will be added for particularly heavy books)
2 Items & over @ £30.00 in total
A really, really important Brexit bit: From 1st January 2021 shipments to EU addresses may incur additional costs which could be requested by Fed Ex at the time of delivery. These costs may vary from country to country and are not within our control and will be in addition to the costs paid to us for your delivery. If in any doubt, please check with your local Fed Ex office what, if any, additional costs will be applicable to your order - https://www.fedex.com
From 1st July 2021, VAT will be applicable to those EU countries where VAT is applied to books - this additional charge will be collected by Fed Ex (or the Royal Mail) at the time of delivery.
Shipments to the USA & Canada:
First Item @ £30.00
2 Items & over @ £50.00 in total
Shipments to the Rest of the World:
First Item @ £45.00
2 Items & over @ £60.00 in total
All overseas orders are shipped using a 'signed for' courier service - please provide an address at which your parcel can be signed for on receipt. We use the same packaging materials for our overseas deliveries as we do those in the UK. In some cases, particularly large and heavy books, or books being shipped to remote areas, may incur an additional shipping charge - if this is the case with your order, we'll notify you as quickly as possible of these charges and to arrange the additional payment. You can of course cancel your order with an immediate refund should you not wish to accept these additional costs. Shipments to overseas territories may incur additional Duty & Tax costs which could be requested by Fed Ex at the time of delivery. These costs may vary from country to country and are not within our control and will be in addition to the costs paid to us for your delivery. If in any doubt, please check with your local Fed Ex office what, if any, additional Tax & Duty costs will be applicable to your order - https://www.fedex.com
Collect in Person at Coles Books
We're open Monday - Saturday, 9:00am - 5:30pm. If you're collecting your order, please wait until you get the text, phone call or email from us, just to be on the safe side and to ensure we have your order ready for you on arrival (we'll use the contact information provided during checkout). Not everything on our website is available for immediate collection, please do wait for the text, call or email - if time is of the essence, we'd suggest you call us on 01869 320779 and check availability prior to placing your order. You can pick up your order from the till, please bring a copy of your email receipt (electronic or printed is fine).
Coming by Car
If you're coming to Coles by car, why not take advantage of the 2 hours free parking at Sainsbury's Pioneer Square - just follow the signs for Pioneer Square as you drive into Bicester and park in the multi-storey car park above the supermarket. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. You don't need to shop in Sainsbury's to get the free parking!
Where to Find Us
Coles Books
22 Crown Walk
Pioneer Square
Bicester, Oxfordshire
OX26 6HY, United Kingdom
It was the most impressive packaging that I have EVER SEEN!!! The books were in perfect condition!!!!!
Super fast delivery and well packaged. Quality item and service!