The Asteroid Hunter
A Scientist's Journey to the Dawn of our Solar System
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Narrated by:
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Dante Lauretta
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Brian May
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By:
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Dante Lauretta
About this listen
On September 11, 1999, humanity made a monumental discovery: an asteroid as massive as an aircraft carrier and towering as high as the Empire State Building. This cosmic titan (later named Bennu) belonged to a rare breed of asteroids capable of revealing the essence of life itself. But just as Bennu became a beacon of promise, researchers identified a grave danger. Hurtling through space, it threatens to collide with our planet on September 24, 2182.
Leading the expedition was Dr. Dante Lauretta, the Principal Investigator of NASA's audacious OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. His team embarked on a quest to retrieve a precious sample from the asteroid's surface — one that held the potential to not only unlock the secrets of life's origins, but also to avert an unprecedented catastrophe.
A tale of destiny and danger, The Asteroid Hunter chronicles the high-stakes mission firsthand and promises a rare glimpse into the tightly woven fabric of scientific exploration, where technical precision converges with humanity’s profound curiosity and indominable spirit.
Now in paperback with an exciting bonus chapter!
Critic reviews
“Lauretta’s account of a historic mission is an impressive combination of fascinating science and human inspiration.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"[Lauretta] is a talented storyteller, spinning a gripping narrative out of scientists’ efforts to overcome unforeseen obstacles under intense pressure. Armchair astronomers should consider this a must read." —Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"A beautifully written, first-hand report from the scientific leader of an awe-inspiring NASA mission, aimed at the pioneering delivery of material from an ancient asteroid to Earth. While the book educates us about the technological heights of human ingenuity, the returned asteroid material would teach us about our cosmic roots within the solar system and the organic molecules that sourced life on Earth."—Avi Loeb, Professor of Science at Harvard University and bestselling author of Extraterrestrial
"In this captivating, behind-the-scenes account of the OSIRIS-REx NASA asteroid sample return mission, PI Dante Lauretta provides an unmatched portrayal of the joys and challenges from an insider's perspective. A fascinating read."—Sara Seager, Professor of physics and planetary science at MIT and award-winning author of The Smallest Lights in the Universe
"Human frailty and courage are at the heart of this unflinching book and this daring mission to understand what a rubble pile in space can tell us about life–its origins and its pageant here and now. The Asteroid Hunter explores the chancy beauty of a mission and its incredible team, its dedicated leader and the cosmos itself."—Christopher Cokinos, award-winning author of Still as Bright: An Illuminating History of the Moon from Antiquity to Tomorrow and The Fallen Sky: An Intimate History of Shooting Stars
“This intimate account of the triumphs and tragedies of space exploration will enthrall anyone who has ever dreamed of traveling the stars. The Asteroid Hunter is a high-stakes travelogue to an otherworldly object, and Dante Lauretta is the perfect guide: perceptive, driven, and wide-eyed at every new wonder.”—Melissa L. Sevigny, author of Under Desert Skies
“Just outstanding! A thrilling, behind the scenes, insider account of how a historic space mission was conceived, won, built, and flown."—Alan Stern, Principal Investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission and author of Chasing New Horizons
"In Asteroid Hunter leading planetary scientist Dante Lauretta provides a detailed, personal, and highly poignant inside look into one of the most daring and successful robotic space missions ever attempted. What a ride!"—Jim Bell, Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University and author of The Interstellar Age and Art of the Cosmos
As a member of the public I only really was aware of the marvellous work involved in deep space missions, but those were always through news outlets with 2-3 mins to talk about it before moving on to, well, more inconsequential affairs.
This book rights that wrong. It provides a deep dive into the sheer work and tears necessary to do something no one has ever attempted before. Add to that the high stakes, the risk of breaking new ground, the duration over a decade, the neh-sayers and morale, and the personal life events, and you get a whole new story.
I strongly recommend this book as being well written, well narrated, and, most of all, with a truth life first hand narrative of an achievement which may leave you speechless
Fascinating, and quite the odyssey
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Compelling story! Really good
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