Do you think space exploration is all fun and excitement and home for a ticker-tape parade by teatime?

Nope: you'd be right (and wrong) and here is a collection of stories of what it might be like. Some convincing realism, humour, excitement (oh yes, it's exciting at times) - often written from the standpoint of those to whom it's a job of work rather than an adventure...

Again, something I'm having to tear myself away from.

For the gamer: Well, if you run a space exploration game you will find plenty to mine here - atmosphere as well as adventure ideas. Or of course, this might be the sort of literature you can pick up on a space station bookstall...