In recent years, planetary science has seen a tremendous growth in new knowledge. Deposits of water ice exist at the Moon's poles. Discoveries on the surface of Mars point to an early warm wet climate, and perhaps conditions under which life could have emerged. Liquid methane rain falls on Saturn's moon Titan, creating rivers, lakes, and geologic landscapes with uncanny resemblances to Earth's. Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 surveys the current state of knowledge of the solar system and recommends a suite of planetary science flagship missions for the decade 2013-2022 that could provide a steady stream of important new discoveries about the solar system. Research priorities defined in the report were selected through a rigorous review that included input from five expert panels. NASA's highest priority large mission should be the Mars Astrobiology Explorer Cacher (MAX-C), a mission to Mars that could help determine whether the planet ever supported life and could also help answer questions about its geologic and climatic history. Other projects should include a mission to Jupiter's icy moon Europa and its subsurface ocean, and the Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission to investigate that planet's interior structure, atmosphere, and composition. For medium-size missions, Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 recommends that NASA select two new missions to be included in its New Frontiers program, which explores the solar system with frequent, mid-size spacecraft missions. If NASA cannot stay within budget for any of these proposed flagship projects, it should focus on smaller, less expensive missions first. Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the Decade 2013-2022 suggests that the National Science Foundation expand its funding for existing laboratories and establish new facilities as needed. It also recommends that the program enlist the participation of international partners. This report is a vital resource for government agencies supporting space science, the planetary science community, and the public.

This is the comprehensive story of NASA’s pioneering Mars 2020 mission, which at this moment continues to break ground on the surface of the Red Planet. The book takes readers through every stage of the Mars mission, describing its major goals and objectives, the cutting-edge technology and instrumentation onboard the Perseverance rover and other spacecraft components, and the members of the scientific team who steered the mission along the way. Mars 2020 is the first to actually take samples of the Red Planet and prepare them for subsequent return to Earth. The chapters therefore delve into how and why Jezero Crater was selected as the optimal landing and sample collecting site to meet the mission objectives. Featuring dozens of high-resolution images of the mission, this book gives readers a deeper understanding of the technology underlying Mars 2020 and why its work is so important for planetary science and space exploration.

In the wake of his father’s death, the speaker in Raymond Antrobus’ The Perseverance travels to Barcelona. In Gaudi’s Cathedral, he meditates on the idea of silence and sound, wondering whether acoustics really can bring us closer to God. Receiving information through his hearing aid technology, he considers how deaf people are included in this idea. “Even though,” he says, “I have not heard / the golden decibel of angels, / I have been living in a noiseless / palace where the doorbell is pulsating / light and I am able to answer.” The Perseverance is a collection of poems examining a d/Deaf experience alongside meditations on loss, grief, education, and language, both spoken and signed. It is a book about communication and connection, about cultural inheritance, about identity in a hearing world that takes everything for granted, about the dangers we may find (both individually and as a society) if we fail to understand each other.

In this instant New York Times bestseller, Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” “Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere” (People). The daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Angela Duckworth is now a celebrated researcher and professor. It was her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience that led to her hypothesis about what really drives success: not genius, but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance. In Grit, she takes us into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she’s learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers—from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll. “Duckworth’s ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better” (The New York Times Book Review). Among Grit’s most valuable insights: any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal; grit can be learned, regardless of IQ or circumstances; when it comes to child-rearing, neither a warm embrace nor high standards will work by themselves; how to trigger lifelong interest; the magic of the Hard Thing Rule; and so much more. Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference. This is “a fascinating tour of the psychological research on success” (The Wall Street Journal).

More than 50 years after the Mariner 4 flyby on 15 July 1965, Mars still represents the next frontier of space explorations. Of particular focus nowadays is crewed missions to the red planet. Over three sections, this book explores missions to Mars, in situ operations, and human-rated missions. Chapters address elements of design and possible psychological effects related to human-rated missions. The information contained herein will allow for the development of safe and efficient exploration missions to Mars.

Phenomenal new observations from Earth-based telescopes and Mars-based orbiters, landers, and rovers have dramatically advanced our understanding of the past environments on Mars. These include the first global-scale infrared and reflectance spectroscopic maps of the surface, leading to the discovery of key minerals indicative of specific past climate conditions; the discovery of large reservoirs of subsurface water ice; and the detailed in situ roving investigations of three new landing sites. This an important, new overview of the compositional and mineralogic properties of Mars since the last major study published in 1992. An exciting resource for all researchers and students in planetary science, astronomy, space exploration, planetary geology, and planetary geochemistry where specialized terms are explained to be easily understood by all who are just entering the field.

Perseverance and Apostasy in the New Testament thoroughly examines all the New Testament texts relevant to the controversial questions of whether a genuine believer can apostatize and/or whether an apostate can be restored. The primary contribution of the book lies in the in-depth exegesis of the relevant New Testament Greek texts against the socio-historical circumstances of each faith community in the New Testament. The book inductively shows that the New Testament writers maintain a uniform perception on perseverance and apostasy based on Jesus’ words that bear upon the subject described in the Gospels. It also illuminates questions of the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, the role of the Holy Spirit for the believer’s perseverance, and the role of Satan for the apostates’ falling away. The book is a needed addition to earlier works on perseverance and apostasy. ENDORSEMENTS The debate over the issues of perseverance and apostasy will likely remain in the church until the coming of Christ. Many despair of ever coming to a definitive conclusion, often contending that the biblical evidence is inconsistent and beyond resolution. Don Kim’s near-exhaustive analysis of the relevant NT texts proves otherwise. He is thoroughly conversant with virtually all contributors to this subject and his meticulous contribution will surely prove to be the standard for future dialogue. Anyone who proposes to engage with this controversial matter cannot afford to overlook this remarkably helpful and insightful book. Dr. Sam Storms, Lead Pastor of Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City Enjoying God Ministries Don Kim has written an amazingly thorough and careful study on perseverance and apostasy in the New Testament. Scholars disagree on how to interpret these difficult passages, but Kim defends well his own understanding, and his important study will have to be reckoned with in future work on this controversial topic. Dr. Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Perseverance and Apostasy in the New Testament is a well-executed and thorough examination of New Testament texts that bear upon or otherwise illuminate the difficult question of whether a true believer can apostatize. The author neither avoids difficult questions nor skirts challenging texts. Rather, he carefully works his way through each relevant New Testament text’s central exegetical questions, offering judicious insights and integrating those insights into a collective explanation. I found some of my own assumptions challenged while reading this book. I am happy to recommend it as a helpful addition to—and sometimes needed correction of—earlier works on perseverance. Dr. Kenneth Berding, Professor of New Testament Talbot School of Theology at Biola University Perseverance and Apostasy in the New Testament concentrates on the crucial questions of whether genuine believers in Jesus could apostatize and whether the NT presents a consistent picture on that very issue—by providing a careful exegetical treatment of numerous passages across the New Testament, beginning with the Synoptics and John’s Gospel, walking through Acts and the letters, and completing with the book of Revelation. One’s theological presuppositions will, of course, affect how he/she receives and responds to Kim’s case. It will also be unrealistic to expect even those agreeing passionately with Kim to concur on every detail in a tome of this magnitude. Yet, undoubtedly, Perseverance and Apostasy in the New Testament proves to be an essential reading for pastors and theological students who (should) wrestle with the issue of perseverance and apostasy and the relevant biblical texts to form their own conclusions. This well-written book will serve its readers effectively by sharpening or challenging their views, if not both. Dr. John Lee, Associate Professor of New Testament Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary This substantial study by Dongsu Kim is a decisive demonstration of the historic doctrine of the perseverance of the saints taught and defended by the Reformed tradition. “Perseverance and Apostasy in the New Testament” provides a thoroughly biblical and hermeneutically and canonically sensitive study. Kim’s exposition is scholarly, rigorous and articulate. He argues persuasively that the various biblical writers’ engagements with apostasy are consonant with the Scriptures’ declarations of divine sovereign grace in salvation. “Perseverance and apostasy in the New Testament” is an extensive arsenal of biblical and theological insights that will be of value for exegetes and theologians alike. Dr. Peter A. Lillback, president, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia The Reformed doctrine of perseverance of the saints has recently been tremendously challenged and egregiously distorted. For example, the New Perspective on Paul has seriously rejected the traditional wisdom, advocating revisions not only of the doctrine of perseverance but also justification. In response to these criticisms, challenges and distortions, this book provides a most comprehensive and compelling antidote with profoundly detailed and meticulous exegetical engagements with the New Testament texts. Dr. Kim did an excellent job in presenting a powerful and persuasive case for God’s gracious and faithful preservation of true believers in Christ. This is a masterpiece and must read for anyone interested in Scripture’s teachings about the ideas of perseverance and apostasy. Dr. Sung Wook Chung, Professor of Christian Theology Denver Seminary Kim asks whether New Testament authors maintain a consistent theology of perseverance and apostasy or not. Is it conceivable that divinely inspired authors contradict each other with different theologies of perseverance and apostasy? Or must we admit they contradict each other and deny plenary verbal inspiration of Scripture? Kim is fully aware that no scholar asks these questions without theological presuppositions which predetermine his answers. He himself enters this hermeneutical circle with his own working definitions of perseverance and apostasy. He challenges himself and his readers allow the New Testament itself to revise and refine our theological presuppositions and working definitions. Kim is also aware of the error of selective evidence. To avoid it, he chooses passages from the entire New Testament that he deems critical to understanding the subject of perseverance and apostasy. Kim’s book is new essential reading for everybody who wants to formulate a comprehensive New Testament theology of perseverance and apostasy. Dr. Andrew D. Parlee, Professor of Systematic Theology Greater Europe Mission, Thirdmill Seminary