When the Heavens Went on Sale

By Ashlee Vance

New York Times bestselling author of *Elon Musk*, Ashlee Vance, chronicles the fierce competition among private companies vying for dominance in the new space economy. From the moment SpaceX's 2008 launch shifted the space industry's epicenter to Silicon Valley, a new "Wild West" emerged. In *When the Heavens Went on Sale*, Vance offers unprecedented access to key players like Astra, Firefly, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab. Beyond space tourism, these firms race to make satellite and rocket launches fast and cheap, transforming low Earth orbit into a commercial hub for global connectivity, analysis, and monitoring. Through immersive reporting spanning labs and launch sites worldwide—from California to New Zealand—Vance captures the high-stakes drama, eccentric personalities, and cutthroat ventures, revealing a world of private jets, espionage, and fortunes won and lost.
Categorization Notes

This literature has been indexed in the Read For Truth database under the primary pillar of Space. It is cataloged here based on its relevance to established secondary research, thematic focus, and educational utility within this specific taxonomy.

Categories:
Earth Orbit