Elon Musk is a divisive figure but it can't be denied that he's been quite the force for change over the last twenty plus years. From the creation of PayPal to the success of Tesla, he has achieved his self-set goals, and there is no greater symbol of that level of achievement than SpaceX. However, each one of those successes is a result of more than just Musk's effort. Indeed, each is based on the hard work and determination of many, usually unrecognised (outside of their niche areas of expertise) individuals. "Lift Off", by Eric Berger, sets out to bring a bit more recognition to those behind the foundation of SpaceX and the tale of that company's early years.
Berger is the Senior Space Editor at tech web site Ars Technica and for this book, his first, he has managed to snag interviews and recollections from pretty much everyone involved in the formative period of SpaceX's existence, Musk included. That much is obvious by the presence of the billionaire's name in the subtitle. But is this a subjective view of the start of the the company that has shaken the industry to such an extent that it now holds half(!) of the global launch market? Or is this a fawning piece of flummery that avoids upsetting the man with a famously fickle Twitter feed?
Lift Off divides itself between the four flights that finally launched SpaceX on it's successful path to accepted rocket company (Musk famously said he'd reach orbit by the third) and the background to the launches - the development of the Merlin engine, the convoluted route to using Kwajalein Atoll as the launch site, the need to sell rocket launches to ensure the company could be a going concern, the creation of a new facility in Texas, the eight week struggle after flight three to get a fourth, last ditch attempt onto the pad, and a chapter on what came next.
Berger writes well, with an engaging style that captures the drama of SpaceX's start up. The research is impeccable and where there are differences in recollections, this is duly noted and all views are included. After all, time does fade the memory somewhat. There is some humour in there too but the core tale is about achieving the ambitious goal set by Musk, backed by a large portion of his own personal fortune.
Musk comes across as a high intelligent (he has been described as always being the smartest guy in the room), driven individual. This book doesn't give an overly glowing portrayal of Musk, though he was interviewed for it, but neither does it criticise the negative side of working for such a leader.
You see, Musk recruited who he believed were the brightest and the best, usually just out of education, and wanted these people to be as driven as he was. This means that the hours were long and personal lives were sacrificed. One individual has a daughter who hated Musk for stealing her daddy from her. Another missed out on both of their children's teenage years because of working for SpaceX. This is a repetitive thread throughout the book and whilst it is justified by those involved in it by the achievement of getting an orbital rocket launched, to my mind, it feel like an excuse. There again, it's also a personality thing and, at the end of the day, a personal choice. It feels wrong to me but then I am a tad cynical.
Berger weaves a good narrative tale that, at its base level, is a one of triumph over adversity even if the human cost is at a degree some would find unacceptable. Whether you adhere to the belief that the goal is worth the sacrifice or whether you just think a job is a job, what you will find in Lift Off is an informative read as to how SpaceX got to the point where they could start achieving the aims Musk set way back in 2002.
I still find what SpaceX does thrilling to watch, be it the simultaneous landing of two Falcon 9's after a Falcon Heavy launch, or the repeated (and finally successful) launches of the Starship SN prototypes. Just the idea of launching and landing a rocket still feels like something out of Thunderbirds. What Eric Berger's book does is provide some acknowledgement to those those who struggled to make that vision a reality, to give names and voices to those who really did the hard work under the conducting gaze of Musk. That is what makes Lift Off an essential read.
Lift Off is available at all the usual bookshops and online retailers.
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