Exploring Modern Space Race Figures in 'Heavens' Review

Ashlee Vance's "When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach" profiles four private space companies - Astra, Firefly, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab - as they compete to dominate the skies by launching rockets and putting satellites into orbit. Vance's reporting and clear writing illustrate the explosive growth of the private space industry, with the number of satellites expected to grow to possibly 100,000 over the next decade. The book leaves some unanswered questions about the implications of that growth for both space and the businesses trying to cash in on it.