Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Monrovia, News, RSS Twitter, Unincorporated Madison County
 By  GreggParker Published 
5:00 pm Thursday, October 6, 2016

Johnson, Taylor co-author ‘On to the Asteroid’

Les Johnson, left, and Travis Taylor are co-authors of "On to the Asteroid." CONTRIBUTED

Les Johnson, left, and Travis Taylor are co-authors of “On to the Asteroid.” CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Thrills, risks and high profits from outer space revolve in the plot of “On to the Asteroid,” the latest book by Madison author Les Johnson.
Travis S. Taylor co-authored the book with Johnson.
“Travis and I want to convey the promise of space development, as well as the danger and excitement of space travel,” Johnson said. “The nearly infinite resources of space will soon begin to be tapped to help improve our lives on Earth … through mining of asteroids.”
The book suggests that mining results in “beaming electrical power to the ground from space and other ways we cannot yet imagine. There’s also a vast amount of money to be made for those willing to take the risks. And it will be risky,” Johnson said.
With his adventure story, Johnson hope readers will feel optimism about the future.

“On to the Asteroid” is deals with “near-term,” compared to long-term in most science fiction. “What’s possible in the next few decades? We envision a precursor to the ‘Star Trek’ universe so many of us dream about,” Johnson said.

Johnson has written two other novels and edited a short story collection, similar to “On to the Asteroid” in that he wanted plausible plots. “There are no Warp Drives in my books, at least, not yet,” he said.

He also writes science non-fiction about space technology. His book, “Solar Sails: A Novel Approach to Interplanetary Travel” was reviewed by “Nature” and placed on their summer recommended reading list. He also recommends “Harvesting Space for a Greener Earth ” to speculate about space exploration in the next 25 years.
Johnson works as Technical Advisor to Advanced Concepts Office at NASA. A native of Ashland, Ky., he has lived in Madison since 1986. His wife Carol is a full-time mother and homemaker. Their children both will graduate in spring 2017 — Carl from Emmanuel College in Georgia and Leslie from Transylvania University in Kentucky, Les’ alma mater.
“On to the Asteroid” is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, major bookstores and as an e-Book. Baen Books, a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster, Johnson’s publisher.

For more information, email les.mail@lesjohnsonauthor.com or visit lesjohnsonauthor.com or Facebook/LesJohnsonAuthor.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...
The Madison Street Festival is less than a month away
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – The first Saturday in October. That’s the day Madison residents turn out to visit with friends and neighbors, promote school groups, shop fo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *