Mars Close to Home: The Case For a Mars Simulation in Earth Orbit (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781511890380)

Gerald W. Driggers has BS and MS degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University. His 45-year career in science and engineering spanned many disciplines and gave him an uncommon depth of understanding in things both theoretical and practical. Military experience varied from launching ballistic payloads and satellites to battlefield Civil Engineering. In civilian life, his endeavors included design studies in space colonization and industrialization, original research to improve pollution control, groundbreaking developments in missile defense technology, and advancements in hardware-in-the-loop testing. In his leisure time, he mastered photography, automotive and outboard engine rebuilding, boat repair and maintenance, seamanship (including offshore), home restoration, and the art of raising two wonderful children. Gerald is truly a man of many trades and a master of several. Through it all, the exploration of the solar system has been his passion since age eight. Pinnacles in his professional life include time spent with Dr. von Braun and his team members, being presented an award by Arthur C. Clarke, conversations with Robert Heinlein, the friendship of Harry Stine, and his close relationship with Gerard and Tasha O'Neill. Gerald now writes about his passion; that is, when wonderful wife Carol or Wilson the Cat do not have chores for him.