The Martian by Weir

Ref: Andy Weir (2011). The Martian. Self-Published.

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Summary­

  • A fictional future account of an Astronaut assumed dead and left behind by his NASA crew on Mars and his ensuing incredible survival using scientific problem solving and critical thinking under immense pressure.

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Misc Quotes

  • Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG): a big box of Pu. The RTG houses the Pu, catches the radiation in the form of heat, and turns it into electricity. It’s not a reactor. The radiation can’t be increased or decreased. It’s a purely natural process happening at the atomic level.

  • Mars’ famous red color is from Fe oxide coating everything. So it’s not just a desert. It’s a desert so old it’s literally rusting.

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