The End of Astronauts

The End of Astronauts offers exquisitely formulated arguments in support of robotic exploration in space. Along the way, Goldsmith and Rees occasionally tell us what we don't want to know, but in the end we find ourselves compelled to agree with them. -- Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of <i>Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier</i> A must-read for anyone wishing to debate about the human future in space. With clarity, wit, and breathtaking knowledge, Goldsmith and Rees tell of the dangers never hinted at in idyllic images of human settlement. There is a more direct route to the stars and this fascinating book plots that course with powerful, reasoned argument. -- Ann Druyan, Emmy Award-winning writer, director, and producer of <i>Cosmos</i> A delightfully lucid and succinct manifesto for reforming science policy...Evidently passionate in their conviction that robots should be the ones to boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before, they present their case soberly and systematically, carefully evaluating counterarguments. -- Patricia Fara * Literary Review * Informs us about the full cost of human space exploration and how AI and robotic missions deserve their place in this story. It's a terrific read and an invaluable reference in the debate of human versus robotic spaceflight. * BBC Sky at Night * A provocative primer on the future of space travel. * Publishers Weekly * Martin Rees has always thought outside the box, and now he and Donald Goldsmith are thinking outside the boundaries of Earth. Just the way a telescope can let us see across a vast distance without leaving where we are, they show how modern machines and machine learning will take us across the solar system without having to phone home. -- Alan Alda, actor, author, and advocate for science communication Is there a balance to be struck between our species' obsession with space and the constraints, dangers, and cost of human exploration? This utterly fascinating yet soberly realistic examination lays out our options for how to explore the solar system in the coming decades. -- Jim Al-Khalili, author of <i>The World According to Physics</i> A thoughtful, clear, and informed opinion on how space science and space exploration should be conducted in the future. Goldsmith and Rees treat the question of whether there will still be a role for humans in crewed spacecraft thoroughly and methodically, and the result is a fascinating read. -- Mario Livio, author of <i>Galileo and the Science Deniers</i> A boom in space tourism may loft more people into the heavens than ever before. But robotic probes powered by artificial intelligence are already more capable-and improving fast. Donald Goldsmith's excellent writing draws on deep insights from renowned astrophysicist and futurist Martin Rees, making this the most thoughtful, provocative book yet about humanity's future in space. -- Nathan Myhrvold, Founder and CEO, Intellectual Ventures, and former Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Meticulous and vivid. Goldsmith and Rees paint a striking picture of the future of space exploration, one that might surprise you! -- Jaan Tallinn, cofounder of the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and the Future of Life Institute