In 'Packing for Mars', Mary Roach embarks on an intriguing exploration of space travel, unraveling the quirky science behind life in zero gravity. With her trademark wit, she dives into the bizarre preparations astronauts undergo, from training in underwater scenarios to managing bodily functions in space. Roach demystifies the unique challenges posed by the vast void, making the reader contemplate the peculiarities of weightlessness and the human experience beyond Earth. Each chapter reveals astonishing facts and anecdotal tales that are both informative and entertaining. This captivating journey highlights not just the science, but the humor and humanity that accompany our quest to conquer the cosmos.
By Mary Roach
Published: 2011
""In space, no one can hear you scream about the lack of a bathroom.""
The author of Stiff and Bonk 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.
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“"In space, no one can hear you scream about the lack of a bathroom."”
Packing for Mars
By Mary Roach
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Mary Roach is a bestselling science writer known for her irreverent and accessible style that combines humor with thorough research. She is the author of several notable books, including "Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers," "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," and "Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex." Roach's work often explores quirky, offbeat topics in the realms of science and anatomy, making complex subjects engaging and entertaining for a broad audience.
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