Sex on the Moon

Sex on the Moon recounts the true story of a NASA co-op student who orchestrated the theft of moon rocks from the Johnson Space Center. The narrative centers on Thad Roberts, a promising Utah student working at NASA who recruits others to help him steal irreplaceable lunar samples from a secure facility. The book details the planning and execution of the heist, following Roberts and his accomplices as they attempt to sell the stolen moon rocks. FBI agents become involved in the case, leading to an undercover operation in Florida to catch the perpetrators. Ben Mezrich presents this story of scientific theft against the backdrop of NASA's prestigious cooperative education program and the intense security measures protecting humanity's lunar artifacts. The book chronicles Roberts' path from aspiring astronaut to criminal, examining his relationships and decisions. The narrative raises questions about ambition, hubris, and the price of fame - exploring what drives someone to risk everything for an impossible scheme. This blend of true crime and space history illustrates the complex intersection of scientific achievement and human fallibility.

Readers found this a fast-paced, entertaining true crime story that reads like fiction. Many noted it was hard to put down and finished it in one or two sittings. Readers appreciated: - The detailed research and interviews - The heist narrative structure - Clear explanations of NASA operations - The focus on character motivations Common criticisms: - Too much focus on romantic relationships - Repetitive writing style - Questioned accuracy of dialogue recreations - Portrayed the crime too sympathetically One reader noted: "The technical details were fascinating but the constant relationship drama felt like padding." Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (200+ ratings) The book sells steadily but hasn't matched the popularity of Mezrich's previous works like "The Accidental Billionaires" and "Bringing Down the House."

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🌓 The moon rocks stolen were valued at approximately $21 million and were considered national treasures, containing irreplaceable samples from the Apollo missions. 🚀 Thad Roberts, the main subject, was a Mormon-raised student who had three NASA internships before orchestrating the heist in 2002. 📚 Ben Mezrich also wrote "The Accidental Billionaires," which was adapted into the Oscar-winning film "The Social Network" about Facebook's founding. 🔬 The stolen samples were kept in a 600-pound safe, which Roberts and his accomplices managed to remove from the building using a simple dolly. 🌎 After being caught, Roberts served 100 months in federal prison, during which time he developed his own theory of quantum gravity and wrote extensively about physics.