Liftoff - Eric Berger

Liftoff

By Eric Berger

  • Release Date: 2021-03-02
  • Genre: Astronomy
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 145 Ratings

Description

“A colorful page-turner.” —Walter Isaacson, New York Times Book Review

“As important a book on space as has ever been written.” —Homer Hickam, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Rocket Boys

The dramatic inside story of the historic flights that launched SpaceX—and Elon Musk—from a shaky start-up into the world’s leading-edge rocket company.

SpaceX has enjoyed a miraculous decade. Less than 20 years after its founding, it boasts the largest constellation of commercial satellites in orbit, has pioneered reusable rockets, and in 2020 became the first private company to launch human beings into orbit. Half a century after the space race it is private companies, led by SpaceX, standing alongside NASA, pushing forward into the cosmos, and laying the foundation for our exploration of other worlds.

But before it became one of the most powerful players in the aerospace industry, SpaceX was a fledgling start-up, scrambling to develop a single workable rocket before the money ran dry. The engineering challenge was immense; numerous other private companies had failed similar attempts. And even if SpaceX succeeded, they would then have to compete for government contracts with titans such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, who had tens of thousands of employees and tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue. SpaceX had fewer than 200 employees and the relative pittance of $100 million in the bank.

In Liftoff, Eric Berger, senior space editor at Ars Technica, takes readers inside the wild early days that made SpaceX. Focusing on the company’s first four launches of the Falcon 1 rocket, he charts the bumpy journey from scrappy underdog to aerospace pioneer. We travel from company headquarters in El Segundo, to the isolated Texas ranchland where they performed engine tests, to Kwajalein, the tiny atoll in the Pacific where SpaceX launched the Falcon 1. Berger has reported on SpaceX for more than a decade, enjoying unparalleled journalistic access to the company’s inner workings. Liftoff is the culmination of these efforts, drawing upon exclusive interviews with dozens of former and current engineers, designers, mechanics, and executives, including Elon Musk. The enigmatic Musk, who founded the company with the dream of one day settling Mars, is the fuel that propels the book, with his daring vision for the future of space.

Filled with never-before-told stories of SpaceX’s turbulent beginning, Liftoff is a saga of cosmic proportions.

Reviews

  • Space history at its finest

    5
    By ALbradp
    This is a excellent example of a quality space history book. I loved it.
  • Great telling of a story we need right now

    5
    By Quiviran
    Rocket science really is rocket science. Rocket scientists really are people, just very smart and dedicated. Read this story. It will make you feel good about what is possible with dedicated people and inspiring leaders (with a lot of money to get started). It’s about putting it all on the line and pulling together to reach goals “everyone” said weren’t possible. It’s a story about a team, in all the best ways.
  • Great feat, boring author

    2
    By Longhorn5555
    Maybe the author was to consumed with personal issues to fully capture the incredible accomplishment of Elon Musk and SpaceX.
  • Amazing!

    5
    By me know now always
    Accurate!
  • Wonderful and engaging

    5
    By roronene
    Everything about this book is amazing. The story is compelling, the real life people are inspiring, and the writing is superb. Reading through this book is like watching the best Netflix documentary. Every paragraph has meaning and is captivating. I normally steer clear of books like this but I could hardly put it down. Honestly I haven’t felt this sad to finish a book in decades because I don’t have anything comparable to read now
  • Gripping Read

    5
    By ATE Jeff
    Exceptionally well written account of SpaceX. I found this to be an addictive “Page Turner” in every way as well as a great comparative back drop to lessons and strategies in businesses we’re presently a part of. Definitely recommend this read to anyone fascinated with Elon and Space, but perhaps even more, trying to start or lead a disruptive company or organization.
  • Great

    5
    By ajfiasco44
    Felt like watching a movie
  • History in the making!

    5
    By DonDiego de la Mancha
    An amazing look into one of the most important startups of our time.

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