Powersat by Ben Bova; The Grand Tour Series, Book 1; Unabridged MP3 Audio Book; Narrator Stefan Rudnicki; Directed by Kirk Miller

Two hundred thousand feet up, things go horribly wrong. An experimental low-orbit spaceplane breaks up on reentry, falling to earth over a trail hundreds of miles long. And in its wake is the beginning of the most important mission in the history of spaceflight.

Americans needs energy, and Dan Randolph is determined to give it to them. He dreams of an array of geosynchronous powersats, satellites that gather solar energy and beam it to generators on Earth, freeing America from its addiction to fossil fuels and breaking the power of the oil cartels forever. But the wreck of the spaceplane has left his company, Astro Manufacturing, on the edge of bankruptcy.

Worse, Dan discovers that the plane was sabotaged. And whoever brought it down is willing—and able—to kill again to keep Astro grounded.

Now Dan has to thread a dangerous maze. The visible threats are bad enough: Rival firms want to buy him out and take control of his dreams. His former lover wants to co-opt his unlimited-energy idea as a campaign plank for the candidate she’s grooming for the presidency. NASA and the FAA want to shut down his maverick firm. And his creditors are breathing down his neck.

Making matters even more dangerous, an international organization of terrorists sees the powersat as a threat to their own oil-based power. And they’ve figured out how to use it as a weapon in their war against the West.

A sweeping mix of space, murder, romance, politics, secrets, and betrayal, Powersat will take you to the edge of space and the dawning of a new world.

“Bova gets better and better, combining plausible science with increasingly complex fiction.”—Los Angeles Daily News

“A classic guy’s tale…Bova is a spare writer who nevertheless crafts the perfect voice for each of his characters.”—San Antonio Express News

“Tom Clancy-like danger and intrigue.”—Amazing

“[A] suspenseful ride and plenty of high-tech hardware.”—Publishers Weekly

“Bova’s dedication to space exploration as well as his grasp of today’s discoveries make his SF tales some of the most down-to-earth explorations of the real possibilities of future technology. A strong addition to most SF collections, with additional appeal to YA audiences.”—Library Journal

“Bova’s mastery of mixing hard scientific theories with compelling romantic and political intrigue is evident once again…Not surprisingly, the prolific Bova provides a page-turner of the highest order, as entertaining as it is inspiring. Readers will have a hard time putting this book down.”—Barnes and Noble review

Ben Bova, born November 8, 1932, is one of the foremost American science fiction writers, a position he’s enjoyed for over fifty years. He began as a technical writer in the ’50s and ’60s, first for the US Naval Research Laboratory and later for Avco Everett, where he was involved in research on lasers and fluid dynamics. He first began writing science fiction in the late ’50s and early ’60s with his Watchmen series. In 1972 he became the editor of Analog Science Fiction and six years later went on to edit Omni Magazine. In 1973 he first got into the film business, working as a science advisor for the television series The Starlost. However he left the show in disgust after the airing of the first episode. During this time he wrote many books, and in 1974 he wrote his first television screenplay for the Saturday morning children’s series Land of the Lost. In the ’80s and ’90s he went back to school and earned several degrees. During this time he also served as president for several organizations, including the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Bova has written over 115 books of varying types including science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction. He writes primarily from personal knowledge which includes—among lasers, spaceflight, nanotechnology, etc.—fencing, martial arts, environmentalism, and photography. He continues to write and has also been providing various consulting services to projects in Hollywood, including the 2010 film Repo Men.