Book description
A momentous look at the private companies building a revolutionary new economy in space, from the New York Times bestselling author of Elon MuskIn When the Heavens Went on Sale, Ashlee Vance illuminates our future and unveils the next big technology story of our time: welcome to the Wild West of aerospace engineering and its unprecedented impact on our lives. With the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket in 2008, Silicon Valley began to realize that the universe itself was open for business. Now, Vance tells the remarkable, unfolding story of this frenzied intergalactic land grab by following four pioneering companies--Astra, Firefly, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab--as they build new space systems and attempt to launch rockets and satellites into orbit by the thousands. With the public fixated on the space tourism being driven by the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson, these new, scrappy companies arrived with a different set of goals: to make rocket and satellite launches fast and cheap, thereby opening Earth's lower orbit for business. Vance has had a front-row seat and singular access to this peculiar and unprecedented moment in history, and he chronicles it all in full color: the top-secret launch locations, communes, gun-toting bodyguards, drugs, espionage investigations, and multimillionaires guzzling booze to dull the pain as their fortunes disappear.Through immersive and intimate reporting, When the Heavens Went on Sale reveals the spectacular chaos of the new business of space, and what happens when the idealistic, ambitious minds of Silicon Valley turn their unbridled vision toward the limitless expanse of the stars. This is the tale of technology's most pressing and controversial revolution, as told through fascinating characters chasing unimaginable stakes in the race to space.
EchoEnigma
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation. The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature.
Daisy Stick
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. Listening to audiobooks has become my guilt-free indulgence, and I love it. I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Omega Sub
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's functionality is truly impressive.
Tacklebox
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. This app's ease of use has made my long drives educational and enjoyable. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Adjustable playback speed is my secret weapon for covering more material in less time. A productivity boost!
SpellTansy
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments.
Mad Kid
ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
RealmRanger
This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. It’s perfect for my listening style. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Moon Solitaire
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ListenBook's support for various audio formats means I never have to worry about compatibility issues. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me. My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch.
Nice Gnome
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. This app is my audiobook haven. With a user-friendly interface and features like audio filters, I'm engrossed in stories like never before. 📖🔊 The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
Winded On Friday
ListenBook's support for chapters and bookmarks ensures that I never lose my place in a story. With this app, my audiobook library is organized and accessible, making my reading journey effortless. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀
Whip Chu
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks.
Alley Frog
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences.
Maple Destroyer
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. 📚🎧 Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏
Mr. Thanksgiving
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality.
Doz
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient.
InsightInkwell
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. ⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
The Belgian
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personalized touch to my audiobook experience. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Digger
Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
QuestWeaver
ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Metal Star
Binaural audio processing reduces fatigue during long listening sessions. A fantastic feature! I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience