000			01565nam a2200169 4500
001			6352
020	0	0	_a9781851688234
100	0	0	_aRoach, Mary.
245	0	0	_aPacking for Mars : _bthe curious science of life in space / _cMary Roach. _h
260	0	0	_aLondon ; _bOxford : Oneworld, _c 2010
300	0	0	_axiii, 293 pages ; 21 cm
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references.
520			_aThe author explores the irresistibly strange universe of space travel and life without gravity. Space is a world devoid of the things we need to live and thrive: air, gravity, hot showers, fresh produce, privacy, beer. Space exploration is in some ways an exploration of what it means to be human. How much can a person give up? How much weirdness can they take? What happens to you when you can't walk for a year? have sex? smell flowers? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a space walk? Is it possible for the human body to survive a bailout at 17,000 miles per hour? To answer these questions, space agencies set up all manner of quizzical and startlingly bizarre space simulations. As the author discovers, it's possible to preview space without ever leaving Earth. From the space shuttle training toilet to a crash test of NASA's new space capsule (cadaver filling in for astronaut), she takes us on a surreally entertaining trip into the science of life in space and space on Earth.
650			_aSpace flight -- Psychological aspects. _v _x _y _z _2
650	0	0	_aAstronauts -- Training of _x
650	0	0	_aManned space flight -- Popular works _x
999			_c5356 _d5356