Andy Weir

Eventually, while researching, you'll learn something you didn't want to know. Some fact that ruins a plotline you had in mind. The good news is that sometimes, learning all the facts can make for a much more interesting story than you originally had in mind. ”

The reason space missions need artificial gravity is clear: humans simply did not evolve to live in zero gravity. ”

Designing a station with artificial gravity would undoubtedly be a daunting task. Space agencies would have to re-examine many reliable technologies under the light of the new forces these tools would have to endure. Space flight would have to take several steps back before moving forward again. ”

If someone offered me a free trip to the International Space Station, I would decline. I like Earth. I like the internet. I like Diet Coke. I have cats. I write about brave people - I'm not one of them. ”

Research into manned spaceflight is shifting from low-Earth orbit to destinations much further away, like Mars and the asteroid belt. But society will have to invent many new technologies before it can plausibly send people to those distances. ”

I am not a brave man... I do not have the right stuff. Astronauts are really a cut above. ”

My father has a great love of science, and he indoctrinated me into it early. I think I was 12 or so when we designed a moon base. ”

I was born too late to experience Apollo 11, though I do trek to Dad's house every time there's some space event. There's something awesome about crossing your fingers and watching a tense Mission Control room do their thing. ”

You want an audience. If you didn't, you wouldn't be a writer. The biggest motivation to write is the knowledge that someone will read it. ”

I originally wrote 'The Martian' as a free serial novel, posting one chapter at a time to my website. ”