"In 2071, Janet Pilgrim, a recent high school graduate,
suddenly finds herself unable to afford college.... In 2071, "astronaut"
is only slightly more glamorous then "truck driver" is today. But the
money is good, and one run to Mars - the "armpit of the Solar System"
will fund several years of college. Even better, she won't have to face
her friends."
Red Mars
(Mars Trilogy) Kim Stanley Robinson - 1993
Amazon: US
UK
Mars Crossing
Geoffrey A. Landis - 2000
Amazon: US
UK
Solar
Sci-Fi Part 2: More Resources & Other Space
Literature....
David Hardy's
vision of space
tourists learning "to cope with zero-gravity;
inside (behind a plexiglass screen) and outside, in
the vacuum of space
but (of course) wearing spacesuits," Credits: AstroArt
In this section we give links to various science
fiction resources on the web related to the hard science,
solar system based theme.
We also provide some resources
for those who want to write their own Solar Sci-Fi.
Black
Cat Press Bookstore - "offers both new
and previously out-of-print books by illustrator/author
Ron
Miller... as well as long out-of-print classic
science fiction and fantasy novels. All Black Cat
Press books feature covers and interior art by Ron
Miller"
An anthology of hard science fiction
short stories in which the authors attempt to
keep the plots and details within scientifically
valid limits.
The "contributions include both original stories
and reprints from some of the top
science fiction writers working today".
The writer and editor Mike Brotherton obtained
backing from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
for the project on the basis that the stories
could be used in astronomy courses to illuminate
particular concepts under discussion.
Jeff
Russell's Starship Dimensions - relative
dimensions of all sorts of Sci-Fi spaceships, space
stations, etc. Includes a few "real space"
structures.
a program of the National
Academy of Sciences that connects entertainment
industry professionals with top scientists and engineers
to create a synergy between accurate science and
engaging storylines in both film and TV programming.
Under
the Microscope section - scientists describe
their experiences with the film or TV show on
which they worked.
Futurism*
Futurists differ from writers of hard sci-fi only in
that they don't use stories to explore plausible scenarios
for future developments in technology and society. Instead
they simply discuss the possibilities in terms of what's
reasonable and feasible.
Here are some links to various types of futurist sites
and lists of such sites:
The Institute
For The Future (IFTF) is an "independent, nonprofit
research group with over 40 years of forecasting
experience" in "identifying emerging trends and
discontinuities that will transform global society
and the global marketplace".
a global collaborative research platform
created to identify and facilitate discussion around
future disruptions, opportunities and trends in science
and technology. Signtific is completely open, easy
to use, and accessible to anyone. The project is designed
to leverage the growing network of science and technology
experts and grassroots enthusiasts across the globe
through collaborative physical and virtual workshops
and engaging collaborative forecasting games. Signtific
invites scientists, engineers, designers, researchers,
technologists and creative thinkers from any discipline
to participate in discussing, dissecting and discovering
both nascent and time tested ideas that will shape
our future.
The Signtific
Lab is a site where collaborative tools are
used to carry out "Massively Multiplayer Thought
Experiments". Its first experiment was called "Free
Space" and examined the potential of CubeSats
to allow large numbers of individuals to participate
directly in space activities:
Spaceman
- written and directed by Leegrid Stevens. Sponsored
by the Incubator
Arts Project. Ran Oct. 12-21, 2012 in New York
City. Depicts a one woman, one-way mission to Mars.
"In this brave and funny new play, the difficulties
of interplanetary space travel are brought to
life in exacting detail. Radiation exposure, long
term weightlessness, low light, extensive communication
delays and poor hygiene are just a few of the
challenges astronaut Molly Jennis must face as
the first to Mars. But she soon finds nothing
compares to the psychological effects of having
so much time alone. Time spent mulling over the
decisions she has made and what might be waiting
for her when she finally reaches her destination.
Spaceman simulates space travel for the stage
using low light, a claustrophobic set and simulated
micro-gravity. The play will also use an immersive
sound design featuring original works by experimental
composers such as Kevin Drumm, Alva Noto, Daphne
Oram, and Aiden Baker among others. "
When
Tang Met Laika, - The Denver Center for
the Performing Arts commissioned thIS new play, which
had its premier in Denver on January 22, 2010. The
work is written by Rogelio
Martinez and this production is directed by Terrence
J. Nolen. The short synopsis:
Heavy issues confront weightlessness when Soviets
and Americans join together to establish the International
Space Station. Playwright Rogelio Martinez explores
the 1990’s Cold War thaw as two intensely driven
people find love in space, a breakfast drink,
a stray dog and a ghost named Yuri.
"One Small Step, a new play written by David
Hastings and produced by Oxford Playhouse, was
launched in 2008 at the Edinburgh Fringe to five
and four star reviews and thrilled audiences.
Directed by Toby Hulse, two extraordinary young
actors take you on an action-packed trip to the
moon bringing dozens of characters (41 to be exact)
to life in a brilliantly inventive exploration
of the space race. From the first dog to be rocketed
into space, to the moon landing and beyond, One
Small Step is full of emotion, intense moments,
epic achievements and humour."
Rocket
Girl - a play about Mary Sherman Morgan who
invented "Hydyne, the rocket propellant that boosted
America’s first satellite, Explorer I, into space".
Actor Bill
Pullman has written a play based on the experiences
of the ISS
Expedition 6 crew, which was temporarily stranded
on the station after the Columbia accident. When
they did return to earth, their Soyuz had a malfunction
that sent them far off course.
Mrs. Murphy's Porch by Wysteria
Edwards - the Shuttle Challenger tragedy is the
backdrop to the story of a girl learning to deal with
personal tragedy.
3D
Starmaps - get the constellations right regardless
of where you send your characters in the galaxy.
3-D
Star Maps of Nearby Stars, the Pleiades, Orion, and
the Local Group by Kurt A. Foge This ebook explains
how to "make stellariums, a scale model of the
Solar System" and includes a "brief explanation
about interstellar travel". He says it is a "great
resource for astronomers, schools, and science fiction
writers. ... [and] for science projects."
Space
Tourism in Science Fiction at Spacefuture
- reviews several stories that involve space tourism.
Also, it discusses how none of teh stories show that
space tourism could be a major commercial activity
that dwarfs government programs.
Sci Fi Arizona
provides this rich page of resources to aid the aspiring
sci-fi writer. Includes articles on topics ranging from
those specific to sci-f,i such as dealing with the speed
of light limit, to general writing techniques like producing
believable dialogs.
- Amazon
