Benford, Gregory. Jupiter Project. Jupiter Project No. 1. 1975. Eos, 1998.
In Jupiter Project Gregory Benford, a working astrophysicist, demonstrates that he can write the kind of hard science fiction story for young adults that Heinlein wrote in the 1950s. Benford does not have the engaging first-person voice Heinlein has, but he is free of some of Heinlein’s political nuttiness. The setting is a research station in orbit around Jupiter. Our hero is the son of a couple of scientists. He is training to be a shuttle pilot. Funding is a problem. There are anomalies in the Jovian radiation belt that is messing up their equipment. Game on. Old as I am, I miss young adult stories with good science. Benford is refreshing even 45 years on. ( )