The Orbital Perspective – Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles by Ron Garan; Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.; $27.95 (Hardcover); 2015.
There have been a number of “tell-all” books authored by former space travelers. But this book tells all and more.
Ron Garan spent 178 days in space, carrying out four spacewalks. He flew on both the U.S. Space Shuttle and Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and spent 18 days at the bottom of the ocean participated in the joint NASA-NOAA, NEEMO-9 mission.
Garan has authored this book about these experiences, but also his shift in perception. He has viewed Earth from space, and gained viewpoints while working on development projects on the ground. This book is a synthesis of the two – and the result is an engaging, thought-provoking read.
Drawing from the book, you’ll find some stimulating themes:
Looking Skyward: If nations can join together to build the most complex structure ever built in space – the International Space Station — imagine what can be achieved by working together to overcome the challenges facing all here on Earth.
Looking Earthward: Gazing back at Earth from space can fill you with insight: Each and every one of us is riding through the Universe together on this spaceship we call Earth and that we are all in this together.
Looking Forward: Possibilities are only limited by our imagination and our will to act, and don’t accept the status quo on our planet. Nothing is impossible, including the elimination of suffering and conflict here on Earth.
In short, The Orbital Perspective is a call to action- how best to care for the most important space station of all: Planet Earth.
Yes, this is a book about space – filling that space with hope, creativity and collaboration.
For more information on this book, go to:
http://www.bkconnection.com/books/title/the-orbital-perspective
For a dedicated website related to this book, go to:
http://orbitalperspective.com/
Garan has also founded the initiative Fragile Oasis, championing his “Orbital perspective” message to improve life on Earth. Go to:
By Leonard David