The Martian Race (47 page)

Thanks are due to many who have contributed technical knowledge and advice: The Mars Society (
http://www.marssociety.org
); the Planetary Society (http://planetary.org); Bob Zubrin and Richard Wagner, whose Mars Direct scenario (
The Case for Mars
) I employed; and the Mars Underground.

At NASA Ames I gained much from conversations with Nathalie Cabrol and Edmond Grin, who supplied lore about the Gusev landing site, and the Viking photo used herein. Roger Arno, Geoff Briggs, Chris McKay and Carol Stoker (
Strategies for Mars
) provided many insights. Yoji Kondo of NASA Headquarters offered constant advice.

Michael Carr of the U.S. Geological Survey patiently explained puzzling Martian features to a neophyte. His
Water On Mars
illuminated further.

Penny Boston related spelunking stories with a Martian angle. The SETI Institute (
http://www.SETI.org
) offered encouragement and arguments. Mark Adler of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory discussed rovers and their problems. Bruce Murray of Caltech offered realism, though I sometimes ignored it. John Connolly of Johnson Space Center provided the orbital “pork chop” plots and expertise. Douglas Cooke of the JSC Exploration Office filled in many details. Jon Lomberg gave sage advice. Joe Miller read the manuscript and augmented some of the biological ideas. Michael Cassutt worked on the script outline for a miniseries, contributing valuably to the novel that followed.

Betsy Mitchell gave unstinting editorial support. Marilyn Olsen kept track of innumberable details.

The novel was based on the novella “A Cold, Dry Cradle,” coauthored by Elisabeth Malartre, who continued to provide many ideas, creations and criticisms.

Thanks to all. They have labored to make Mars not just a dot of light in the sky, but a destination.

Gregory Benford

June 1999

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR
THE MARTIAN RACE

“Combines a realistic Mars mission plan with a dynamic plot and a sense of wonder to produce a real page-turner. One of the finest novels about human exploration of the Red Planet ever written.”

—Dr. Robert Zubrin, president of The Mars Society and author of
The Case for Mars

“Cast in the fiercely anti-establishment tradition of Robert Heinlein, but evolving a twenty-first-century cooperative perspective … a great read … and thought provoking as well.”

—Bruce Murray, professor at California Institute of Technology and president of The Planetary Society

“Both gritty and inspring! Benford has a deep grasp of how the future might be seized. One move at a time.”

—David Brin, author of
Foundation's Triumph

“A fascinating drama of total plausibility. … I predict that many of the ideas in this book will soon make the transition from fiction to fact.”

—Paul Davies, author of
The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

“Superbly details the ambitions and frailties of both the explorers and the exploiters.”

—John Connolly, planetary scientist

“Accurate science … highly credible… an innovative thriller.”

—Edmond A. Grin, planetary scientist

“Benford emulates the winning strategy of Prince Henry the Navigator to achieve one of our dearest dreams — to land humans on Mars. Mission planners at NASA might seriously consider taking a leaf from this book.”

—Eric Kotani, author of
Legacy of Prometheus

“An exciting adventure and a remarkable novel.”

—Nathalie A. Cabrol, planetary scientist