When the Heavens Went on Sale audiobook cover - The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach

When the Heavens Went on Sale

The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach

Ashlee Vance

★ 3.7 / 5(121 ratings)
Start ListeningDownload App
Categories:
ScienceEntrepreneurshipTechnology & the Future

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to When the Heavens Went on Sale — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from When the Heavens Went on Sale

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from When the Heavens Went on Sale

Mind Map

When the Heavens Went on Sale
The New Space Age+
Planet Labs+
Rocket Lab+
Astra Space+
Firefly Aerospace+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 5
What is the primary focus of the new wave of private aerospace companies discussed in the text?
  • A. Establishing human colonies on Mars and the Moon.
  • B. Competing directly with superpower nations for military supremacy.
  • C. Improving life on Earth through endeavors like climate monitoring and resource management.
  • D. Developing commercial space tourism for ultra-wealthy individuals.
Question 2 of 5
How did Planet Labs control the movement of its large constellation of miniature 'Doves' satellites?
  • A. By using small chemical thrusters attached to the base of each satellite.
  • B. By utilizing differential drag, using solar panels like sails against the faint atmosphere.
  • C. By tethering the satellites to a larger, central command module.
  • D. By relying entirely on the gravitational pull of the moon and Earth.
Question 3 of 5
What unique innovation did Rocket Lab develop to deploy payloads with extreme precision?
  • A. A 'kick stage' that acts like a valet service to place satellites into specific orbits.
  • B. A reusable first-stage booster that lands back on the launch pad.
  • C. A mid-air helicopter recovery system for falling rocket stages.
  • D. A solar-powered tugboat module for deep space transport.
Question 4 of 5
Why did Astra's founder Chris Kemp consider the late 2020 launch of Rocket 3.2 a success, even though it failed to reach orbit?
  • A. It successfully deployed a small payload of communication satellites before falling.
  • B. It proved that their completely 3D-printed rocket body could withstand the heat of launch.
  • C. It achieved its primary test flight objective by successfully cutting off the first stage's main engine.
  • D. It was the first time a private company launched a rocket from a commercial spaceport.
Question 5 of 5
How did Firefly Aerospace attempt to differentiate itself from competitors in the small-launch market?
  • A. By focusing exclusively on launching single, ultra-heavy military payloads.
  • B. By designing rockets with significantly larger cargo capacities to shoot multiple satellites into space with a single launch.
  • C. By building the first fully reusable rockets that can land horizontally on commercial runways.
  • D. By relying entirely on solid-fuel propulsion to drastically reduce manufacturing costs.

When the Heavens Went on Sale — Full Chapter Overview

When the Heavens Went on Sale Summary & Overview

When the Heavens Went on Sale (2023) is a trip into the wild new Space Age sparked by Elon Musk and accelerated by like-minded space geniuses. Buckle up for a mind-blowing journey through space tech innovation and the future of humanity.

Who Should Listen to When the Heavens Went on Sale?

  • Aspiring cosmic entrepreneurs 
  • Rocket mavericks
  • Researchers of space governance

About the Author: Ashlee Vance

Ashlee Vance is an author and journalist known for his compelling stories on technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. His works, including the best-selling biography Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, have garnered critical acclaim.

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App