Developing Space is the first book in a two volume series (with Settling Space). These books clearly define what humanity needs to do to become a multi-planet, and eventually multisystem, species.

Developing Space presents a realistic, and accessible space development agenda for humanity’s initial expansion from Earth. Topics covered include: The Why Space rationale, Access to space & Earth orbit, Cis-lunar logistics operations, Lunar development & industry, Transiting to & landing on Mars, base site selection, Mars base operation, space solar power. It has a large index and references section and covers details of space operations that most people have not seen before, like the first (2011) technically detailed proposal for a fully reusable Mars Ferry system.

From a 40 year veteran space advocate and a Director with the National Space Society, (John Strickland), with collaboration from a leading industrial development expert (Sam Spencer), a Process Development Expert at TechnipFMC, and from a skilled digital artist (Anna Nesterova), comes a detailed and practical account of how the future of mankind in space can evolve in the short term, and where it can aspire to in the long term.

"John Strickland‘s two volume work on Space Development is monumental." – Peter Garretson – Co-Author: Scramble for the Skies

"Strickland’s genius is his gift for the nitty-gritty details." – Howard Bloom – Acclaimed Author of The Lucifer Principle