Les Johnson
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Les Johnson is a NASA physicist, manager, author, husband and father. By day, he serves as the Deputy Manager for the Advanced Concepts Office at the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In his spare time he writes popular science books and articles, reads science fiction, and fulfills the role of husband and father to his two children.
Coming Soon:
Paradise Regained: The Re-greening of Planet Earth Les Johnson, Gregory Matloff and C Bangs
Now In Print:
Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel Giovanni Vulpetti, Les Johnson, and Gregory Matloff
Solar sail propulsion will make space exploration more affordable and offer access to destinations within (and beyond) the solar system that are currently beyond our reach. This book describes solar sails, how they work and what they will be used for in the exploration of space in an easily readable manner which does not necessitate any prior knowledge of physics or solar sailing. It discusses current plans for solar sails and also describes how advanced technology, such as nanotechnology, might enhance solar-sail performance. Much has been accomplished recently to make solar sail technology very close to becoming an engineering reality and it will soon be used by the world’s space agencies in the exploration of the solar system and beyond.
Published in August 2008 by Praxis & Springer/Copernicus. You may purchase copies from The Missing Volume, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or a book seller near you.
WHAT THE REVIEWERS ARE SAYING:
"Conceptually simple and romantic, solar sailing is an enchanting technological solution for space exploration. … Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel is the latest book to explore this topic … . Aimed at undergraduates, the book convincingly captures the history of ideas about solar sails, their current state of play and their future promise. … Suitable for aerospace students and keen enthusiasts alike, this book may one day inspire some of them to build a solar-sail-powered vessel." (Stuart Clark, Nature, Vol. 452, April, 2008)
"You would … find a more knowledgable team to write a book titled Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel (Copernicus, 2008), and it’s a pleasure to add that despite the sub-title, questions of interstellar significance receive solid treatment. … a title that needs to be on your shelf if you’re seriously interested in the next step as we move beyond rocketry." (Centauri Dreams, September, 2008)
"Solar sails have for decades promised to revolutionize in-space transportation. … In Solar Sails, Giovanni Vulpetti, Les Johnson, and Gregory L. Matloff try to serve both nontechnical and technical audiences by dividing the book into four parts. … The result is a book that provides does provide a comprehensive yet readable overview of how solar sails work and how they could be used in the near future." (Jeff Foust, The Space Review, October, 2008)
"This is a top-notch treatment of a propulsion concept that’s clearly innovative and a ‘must have’ capability to forge outward to the stars. Easy to read … the general reader will find that the authors care about you understanding the implications of harnessing solar sails. … Peppered with illustrative drawings and photos, as well as a glossary of terms, this book is a valuable contribution to the field and helps keep the sunlight shining on an important enabling technology for spacefaring societies." (Coalition for Space Exploration, October, 2008)
"The book is composed of two main sections, one of which takes a look at solar sailing development from a non-technical viewpoint, while the latter section is a technical look at solar sailing mechanics and engineering. … I would recommend this book … . this book has a lot to offer to both non-technical and technical readers." (Visual Astronomy, December, 2008)
"The book is divided into four major parts; the first three are directed towards non-engineers with formulas kept to a minimum, the language here is for entry-level space readers. The last part is slightly more advanced, aimed towards students of engineering and people with a more technical mind. … The book targets a broad audience who would be interested in an introduction to a new technology … . It’s a good choice for someone looking at a new technology and offers a modest price tag." (The Space Fellowship, December, 2008)
Living Off the Land in Space: Green Roads to the Cosmos by Gregory Matloff, Les Johnson, and C Bangs
Drawing parallels with the terrestrial pioneers who had to "live off the land" as they made their way across the face of the Earth, this book describes how space travelers will use the resources they encounter to sustain missions to the furthest reaches of the solar system and beyond. Many of the technologies and approaches discussed have little or no impact on the environment of space -- providing truly "green" roads to the cosmos!
Published by Praxis & Springer/Copernicus. You may purchase copies autographed by the authors at my favorite online book seller, The Missing Volume. Also available now from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Target's online bookstore, or a bookseller near you.
Reviews:
Did you know that Les was the technical consultant for the movie Lost in Space?
Les and Greg Matloff first published together in the November 2006 issue of Analog Magazine -- "The Interstellar Conspiracy."
NEWS
Les is now on Facebook and LinkedIn!
Les will appear in two episodes of the new Science Channel series Exodus Earth. He will be discussing aerocapture on Exodus Earth: Titan and solar sails on Exodus Earth: Exoplanet. The series premiers on Sunday, June 21, 2009.
Astronomy and Space Magazine (June 2009) published a review of Solar Sails: "In their latest book, Vulpetti, Johnson, and Matloff argue the case for space sailing as a viable technology for travel within the solar system... All in all, Solar Sails is a handsome book and a good introduction to a technology whose time I feel is imminent - may the force be with it!"
2/5/2008: Solar Sails received Honorable Mention (First Runner Up) in the Cosmology and Astronomy category of the 2008 PROSE Awards, given out by the Association of American Publishers!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming appearances at Science Fiction Conventions:
LibertyCon (July 10 - 12)
DragonCon (Sept. 4 - 7)
Constellation (Sept. 18 - 20)
RECENT EVENTS
Dr. Michio Kaku's interview with Les was broadcast nationally on Saturday, May 2 -- check his website to hear the interview.
Les was interviewed on The Space Show March 31, 2009.
Les was a guest at the Alabama Bound Book Festival on March 28, 2009 at the Birmingham, Alabama Public Library.
Les was a guest at MidSouthCon 2009 from March 20 - 22, 2009.
The Huntsville Alabama L-5 Society invited Les to speak at their December 4 meeting held at the Huntsville Public Library.
Les and his colleague, Dan Thomas, just had a technical paper titled, "A Comparison of Lunar Lander Options for Robotic Exploration of the Moon" accepted for publication in The Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. It will be published in a few months.
Les recently signed his books at a regional meeting of the National Space Society held in Huntsville.
The 2008 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's (JDRF) Walk for a Cure was held on Sunday, October 19. THANKS to all who donated and especially to the folks at Constellation who allowed me to place a donation box in the art show.
Les was a guest at Constellation, Huntsville's annual science fiction convention held October 17 - 19, 2008.
Les was a guest at DragonCon 2008 from August 29 - September 1, 2008. What a great convention! Special thanks to Rain, the Space Track Chairperson. She did a great job.
Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel is out!
A great weekend was had by all who attended LibertyCon 2008 in Chattanooga, TN.
Les was a guest at MidSouthCon in Memphis from March 28 -30.
Les was a guest of the Omegacon Science Fiction Convention in Birmingham, Alabama from March 14 - 16.
Les held a signing event on October 26 in Pablo's on Market bookstore (Athens, Alabama) during the annual Spirit of Athens Storytelling Festival,
Les attended the Constellation Science Fiction Convention in Huntsville during the weekend of October 12 - 14, 2007.
Les signed copies of his book, Living Off the Land in Space, at the Madison Street Festival on October 6. He was hosted by Hale Fire Glass at 112 Main Street in Madison, Alabama.
Les gave the Holladay Lecture in Physics at Vanderbilt University on September 6, 2007.
Les conducted a book signing at the Huntsville, Alabama Barnes & Noble on August 11, 2007.
The Oak Ridge, TN Tamke-Allen Observatory invited Les to speak on August 4, 2007 before a night of sky watching.
Les spoke at the Huntsville, Alabama chapter of the National Space Society on August 2, 2007.
On July 24 & 25, 2007 Les and co-authors Gregory Matloff and C Bangs were the guests of the Memphis, TN National Space Society. While in Memphis, they lectured at the Optimist Club and The Pink Palace Museum, received a private tour of the FedEx Institute, and conducted a signing at Barnes & Noble
