Beyond Mars (1960)

 

Here is the last book in the "space quartet", Beyond Mars. It takes a large survey of the next steps in space including: solar sailing, travel to Saturn via long distance trips to the outer solar system, multi-year hibernation travel, hydroponics, and visiting other solar systems.

Nephew, William and Michael Chester. Illustrated by Buehr, Walter. Beyond Mars. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. (72 p.) 1960.

Planet Trip (1960)

 

To continue out journey through this wonderful space quartet by William Nephew and Michael Chester is Planet Trip. The next logical step to them was exploring the solar system. They started with Mars and the books ends with Venus.

Nephew, William and Michael Chester. Illustrated by Buehr, Walter. Planet Trip. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. (72 p.) 1960.

So what is the dividing line between science fact and science speculation. I think the experts were agreed that conditions on Mars were unlikely to support plants. But...doesn't it spark your imagination about what if?

So beyond Mars is exploration of Venus. This is science fiction since temperatures on Venus were unthought of to sustain anything. But if there was an ocean and if we found life there. Would we have gotten ready for the next step of going to the stars?

Moon Base (1959)

 

Number 2 in Nephew and Chester’s space quartet.: Moon Base. Just saying the phrase "moon base" brings me a sense of excitement and nostalgia. In fact one of my treasures is my talking Dr. Evil Doll that says "Welcome to my moon base".

Nephew, William and Chester, Michael. Illustrated by Buehr, Walter. Moon Base. New York : GP Putnam's Sons. (72 p.) 23 cm.

And what a moon base it is. Building on the 1st book this one discusses a permanent settlement on the Moon. Many illustrations of rockets, Moon vehicles, and Moon base.