Mining the sky
Lewis, John S.
Reading Time
at 250 WPM4h 34m
The average reader, reading at a speed of 250 WPM, would take 4h 34m to read Mining the sky.
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10
days at 30 min/day
274
total minutes
Mining the sky
Published
1997
Publisher
Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.
Pages
274
ISBN-10
0201328194
Description
What would it be like if entrepreneurs could literally "mine the sky" to solve Earth's three major fulfillment problems: energy, mineral resources, and food? That is the engaging premise of John S. Lewis's visionary new book. What if we could chemically break down the atmosphere of Mars for substances that can be used as spacecraft propellants; hollow out asteroids to transform them into livable habitats for billions of space-bound homesteaders; mine the asteroids for precious metals to be used in space construction projects; milk the comets and the moons of Mars for their vast supplies of water; extract helium from moon rocks and radioactive minerals from asteroids, for use as fuel in fusion reactors? With the expansive reach of science fiction, John Lewis's Mining the Sky shows just how these plans are achievable using technology that either exists already or will become available in the very near future. Based on his decades of work at the Lunar Planetary Institute in Tucson, Arizona, Lewis makes the bold proposal that the depletion of the earth's natural resources, as well as the overpopulation of the planet, are solvable problems; indeed, that the unlimited wealth of resources orbiting the sun will ultimately sustain ten quadrillion people living in the many worlds - both natural and man-made - that will compose our enhanced solar system. And reaping the fruits of these nearby solid objects is only the beginning: In the gas-giant outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - there is sufficient natural hydrogen and helium to power enough fusion reactors to meet our energy needs almost for eternity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pages are in Mining the sky?
This edition of Mining the sky has approximately 274 pages. Please note, this is an estimate and the exact page count can vary between hardcover, paperback, and e-book versions.
How long does it take to read Mining the sky?
For most readers, Mining the sky typically takes between 5h 43m and 3h 48m to complete. This is based on the book's length of approximately 68,500 words and common reading speeds.
Here's a detailed breakdown: • Continuous reading at 250 WPM: approximately 4h 34m of focused reading • Casual reading (30 minutes/day): you could finish in roughly 10 days • Estimated word count: 68,500 words
Your individual reading time will vary based on your personal reading pace, the amount of daily reading time, and your familiarity with the subject matter.
What is the word count of Mining the sky?
The estimated word count for Mining the sky is approximately 68,500 words. This figure is calculated using industry-standard methods that consider genre-specific word density patterns, typical formatting and layout characteristics, and standard words-per-page ratios for published books.
This is an approximation — actual word count may vary based on font size, formatting, edition, and the presence of illustrations or charts.
Who is the author of Mining the sky?
Mining the sky was written by Lewis, John S..
When was Mining the sky published?
The publication date for this specific edition is 1997. The original work may have been published on a different date.