Voyage (book)
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| Voyage | |
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| Author | Stephen Baxter |
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| Country | Great Britain |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Voyager Books (UK) |
| Publication date | 21 November 1996 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 660 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-00-224616-3 (first edition, hardback) |
Voyage is a 1996 hard science fiction novel by British author Stephen Baxter. The book depicts a manned mission to Mars as it might have been in another timeline, one where John F. Kennedy survived the assassination attempt on him in 1963.
The book is a part of what is known as the "NASA trilogy" (consisting of Voyage, Titan, and Moonseed) in which Stephen Baxter explores what might have become of the American space program if circumstances had been different. Voyage won a Sidewise Award for Alternate History. It has since been made into a radio serial for BBC Radio 4.
[edit] Plot summary
- Voyage takes place in a world that almost existed but never was. John F. Kennedy survived the assassination attempt on 22 November 1963 in Dallas. From his wheelchair in 1969, the former president sets NASA a new, daunting challenge: "... to continue the building of our great ships, and fly them onwards to Mars."
- His voice carries beyond the clamour of military and industrial lobbies keen to develop the Space Shuttle. Instead, Apollo flights continue, boosted by Wernher von Braun's cherished nuclear rocket. Both are high-risk technologies.
- When the first Ares mission lifts off for Mars in 1986, it is both a triumphant climax and the end of a long saga of technical and human over-ambition. Ares carries three dedicated people, one of them a woman, who have sacrificed everything to achieve the single goal of reaching another planet: their stories weave through a decade of political drama leading to the transfiguring experience of a year-long journey away from Earth.
The novel follows two primary, parallel storylines: one follows the Ares mission to Mars, and the other following Natalie York in her attempt to becoming an astronaut.
[edit] Characters in "Voyage"
- Natalie York. A geologist training to become an astronaut. 'Ares' Mission Specialist.
- Phil Stone. 'Ares' Mars Mission Commander.
- Ralph Gershon. 'Ares' MEM (Mars Excursion Module) Pilot.
- Ben Priest. York's love interest and fellow astronaut.
- Gregory Dana. Rocket Scientist and Nazi camp survivor.
- JK Lee. Director of Columbia Aviation. His character is based on Harrison Storms of North American Aviation. Another possible inspiration would be Tom Kelly of Grumman Aviation.
- Mike Conlig In charge of developing the NERVA engine, and York's estranged boyfriend.
- Hans Udet. NASA director of the Mars project. His character is based on Arthur Rudolph.
- Bert Seger. NASA manager. His character is based on Joe Shea.
- Joe Muldoon. Second man on the Moon. Takes the place of Buzz Aldrin.
- Chuck Jones. Second American to orbit the Earth. Takes the place of Scott Carpenter.
- Fred Michaels. NASA Administrator from 1969 to 1981.
- Jim Dana. Astronaut, son of Gregory Dana.
- Adam Bleeker. Astronaut, contender for the 'Ares' mission.
- Vladimir Viktorenko. Cosmonaut, friend of Joe Muldoon and Natalie York.
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