Space Race 2.0: SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, NASA, and the Privatization of the Final Frontier

Space Race 2.0 is a photographic history of the efforts of private companies to accelerate humankind's exploration and understanding of the final frontier, with SpaceX worth an estimated $74 billion. The book explores the development of commercial space exploration to the present, focusing on the major players: SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Motorbooks International

The private space sector is experiencing remarkable growth, with SpaceX, the industry's consensus leader, valued at an estimated $74 billion. SpaceX, along with its competitors Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, is taking on increasingly important roles, including the transportation of cargo, supplies, and astronauts to outer space. Space Race 2.0, authored by science journalist Brad Bergan and featuring stunning photography of spacecraft, key players, and facilities in California, Texas, and Florida, tells the story of these private aerospace firms.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the first Space Race pitted two political ideologies against each other: Communism or Capitalism would emerge as the superior force. Ultimately, the United States achieved the remarkable feat of landing on the moon, considered the crowning achievement of the race. However, over half a century later, the focus of the Space Race has shifted from a contest between ideological rivals to private aerospace firms competing for contracts.

Today, the defining success of a launch system extends beyond engineering and science to encompass image and Return on Investment (ROI). Founded in 2002, SpaceX's trajectory was shaped by Elon Musk's realization that vertically integrating, manufacturing his own rockets and spacecraft, could lead to higher profits. This decision proved prescient, resulting in a state-of-the-art headquarters in Hawthorne, California, and a series of remarkable achievements.

Space Race 2.0 traces the development of commercial space exploration to the present, encompassing tentative first steps taken by private ventures. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the industry's evolution, highlighting the technological advancements, financial challenges, and political complexities that have shaped its trajectory.

Overall, Space Race 2.0 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the future of space exploration, offering a comprehensive and insightful perspective on the efforts of private companies and NASA to push the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration.

Weight: 1138g
Dimension: 242 x 274 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780760375549