Launching Into Commercial Space: Innovations in Space Travel

Launching Into Commercial Space chronicles the dawn of a fast-moving commercial space age in which initiative from the private sector is launching innovation into tomorrow. With the door closed on the Space Shuttle-era, the revolutionary commercial Space Billionaires of the 21st century are opening a new door. This is the story of the pioneers and private companies around the globe currently developing new spacecraft, planning futuristic spaceports, and seeking to offer a range of space travel services for all.

Features the history, accomplishments, and future endeavors of: Paul Allen, Stratolaunch Systems; Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin; Robert Bigelow, Bigelow Aerospace; Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic; John Carmack, Armadillo Aerospace; Elon Musk, Space X.

Focuses on the companies expanding their commercial space activities, including: Orbital Science ATK, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Space X, Stratolauncher, and Virgin Galactic. Launching Into Commercial Space is a fascinating overview of the potential this new era holds to revolutionize the way we see both our world and the universe beyond.

Joseph N. Pelton holds a Ph.D. from Georgetown University and is Director Emeritus of the Space and Advanced Communications Research Institute (SACRI) at George Washington University as well as the former Dean of the International Space University. He is also the founder of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation and founding President of the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI). Pelton is the author of over 30 books including the Pulitzer Prize nominated book Global Talk, which won the Eugene Emme Literature Award from the American Astronautical Society.
Peter Marshall worked for BBC radio and television news before becoming general manager of Visnews. He also served as President of Keystone Communications. A pioneer in the use of satellites for TV news coverage and distribution, he helped create the Broadcast Services Division of the inter-governmental body INTELSAT. Marshall is a past Chairman of the Royal Television Society in the U.K. and past President of the Society of Satellite Professionals (SSPI). He is a member of the board of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, a writer, and consultant. He has collaborated with Joseph Pelton on five books and major research projects.