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Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 

The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News


Spanish high altitude balloon company releases artwork of its proposed passenger capsule

EOS-X's balloon capsule
Artist rendering of EOS-X’s balloon capsule

The Spanish high altitude balloon company EOS-X has now released several artist renderings of the proposed capsule that will take passengers on a high altitude balloon flight.

According to the company, the first flights will occur sometime late next year, lifting off from either Seville in Spain or Abu Dabi in the Middle East. The proposed ticket prices range from $160K to $214K, with flights lasting about five hours.

All of this sounds highly speculative, especially because EOS-X in November 2023 was one of two balloon companies indicted by a Spanish court for stealing its balloon concepts from a third company. I have not seen the final decision in that court case, so it is unclear what the long term ramifications might be. It could be that the company which sued, Zero-2, has taken over EOS-X.

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4 comments

  • Rocket J Squirrel

    Spending a couple of hours at 100K feet enjoying the view or a few minutes in a rocket to get above the Kaman line so you can call yourself an ‘astronaut’.?

    If I had that money to burn I would take the balloon. Sounds like more fun.

  • pzatchok

    Sounds like a better time then the ride in that BO box.

  • Ray Van Dune

    How many flights before it comes down where it’s not supposed to. Once, even if nobody gets hurt, and tickets will have to be heavily discounted. Twice, game over.

    Then there’s the little matter of the owners and/or the board going to jail if somebody gets killed. Sure they signed a waiver… but this is Spain.

  • Jeff Wright

    Looks relaxing

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