Les Johnson

Les Johnson is a husband, father, NASA physicist, and author of science fiction / science fact. (

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

A Scientist & 2 Engineers give their best guesses as to why we haven't found alien life. #TikTok https://t.co/LialHZHXGd

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

Moon Rockets: Space Launch System - Standing on the Shoulder of Giants #... https://t.co/lRlkSndXaa via @YouTube

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

See this Instagram video by @mikeyperes https://t.co/wGAxuqiEcc

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

Michael and I had a great conversation about space, the Overview Effect, the Christian faith, and more - check it out! @mikeyperes https://t.co/wGAxuqiEcc

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

This hotel isn’t just historic, -- it’s where stories were written. Hote... https://t.co/KJhlHKIC2T via @YouTube

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

This hotel isn’t just historic, -- it’s where stories were written. Hotel Monteleone in NOLA ... https://t.co/KJhlHKIC2T via @YouTube

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

Einstein predicted gravitational waves in 1916. It took 100 years and a detector hidden in the Louisiana pines to finally hear them. LIGO Livingston listens for the universe’s most violent collisions.

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

@PlateArmorMouse @AlecOnFOX7 @BaenBooks @NASA @fox7austin I hope you are correct, but I've been asked if the Moon landings were real dozens of times by people who are seriously asking.

[Baen Books @BaenBooks]

Are you following the Artemis II mission? We definitely are, which makes today's MS NOW @ChrisJansing Reports interview with our very own retired NASA Chief Technologist @LesAuthor so exciting! Chris Jansing, Les Johnson and @JoshEiniger talk to us about the focus for the mission, the astronauts, and what traveling to the far side of the moon will look like.

While Artemis II is traveling on the far side of the moon, we have the perfect thing to pass the time. Back to the Moon by Les Johnson and Travis S. Taylor is a gripping story of how we might have gone back to the moon if things were just a little bit different.

Back to the Moon by Les Johnson and Travis S. Taylor

Decades after the last footprints were left on the Moon, the U.S. was preparing to return to the Lunar surface in a new class of rockets, when the mission suddenly became much more urgent. It would have to be a rescue mission.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the world China had sent its own Lunar expedition. A manned expedition. Until a distress call was received, no human outside of China even knew that the mission was manned—or that their ship had crash-landed and couldn’t take off again.

Time was running out, and if the four Chinese astronauts were to be rescued, the American lunar mission would have to launch immediately, with only a skeleton crew. Once the heroic U.S. astronauts were underway the army of engineers and scientists back home had the daunting task of deciding what equipment could be left on the Moon to permit the Lunar lander vehicle vehicle to lift safely from the Moon with the two U.S. astronauts and the four stranded Chinese taikonauts! Could the U.S. mount such a mission successfully—and would thousands of years of instilled honor “allow” the Chinese astronauts to accept a rescue?

To get the ebook, go to: https://t.co/Upu1xFzKrG

To watch the interview, go to: https://t.co/ZVCV1Rg2VT

#BaenBooks #BackToTheMoon #ArtemisII #MSNow

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

It was a privilege being on @AlecOnFOX7's show. He asked some thoughtful questions.

[Alec Nolan @AlecOnFOX7]

FOX 7 Focus: "We put a lot of work into this, and it's real."

Why do some people think the moon landings and the Artemis missions are fake? Former @NASA Chief Technologist @LesAuthor gives us his explanation for the conspiracy theories that swirl on social media. @fox7austin

[Baen Books @BaenBooks]

What are you doing tonight? Are you a fan of the lights in the sky that appear once the big ball of fire goes down? Just want an excuse to stay awake all night?

You can always join us as we observe Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) on it's celestial journey! Scientists estimate that the last time this comet passed through our inner solar system was roughly 160,000–170,000 years ago. Now it's back and visible right now in the predawn sky.

While we wait to see this rare visitor, you really need something to read. Might we suggest a few books?

We think you'll love Saving Proxima by @LesAuthor and @TravisTaylorX, Fenrir by @EricFlint and Ryk E. Spoor, and Von Neumann's War by @Jringo1508 and Travis S. Taylor. Each book explores how mankind will look to and travel to the stars.

Want more info? Here are a few of the many websites tracking this rare visitor from the stars:

https://t.co/M8wB41zsbi
https://t.co/vpndqotPy7
https://t.co/JpkhgaYqZL

Want to read the books? Here are the links:

https://t.co/Hl8VopeTKj
https://t.co/GFdG7nKIaw
https://t.co/oHpibBpPSv

Photo by Dimitrios Katevainis.

#BaenBooks #PanSTARRS #ScienceFiction #StarGazing

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

Appreciate @IngrahamAngle having me on to explain the challenges of Artemis II reentry and why there was truly ‘no room for error’ as the crew came home. It’s a privilege to help tell the story of this mission!
@BaenBooks @torbooks @PrincetonUPress @IRG_Space

[Laura Ingraham @IngrahamAngle]

REENTRY: NO ROOM FOR ERROR

Les Johnson: “Too steep—they get CRUSHED by G-forces. Too shallow—they SKIP off the atmosphere.”

“The physics is well understood… but space is trying to get you at EVERY TURN.”

“It takes relentless engineering to keep the crew ALIVE and the mission on track.” #artemisII #nasa

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

@BaenBooks Not the best photo of me, I must admit. But thanks for posting!

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

@JoellePresby I look forward to reading it!

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

@JoellePresby @BaenBooks I look forward to reading it!

[RBmediaTopAuthors @RBmediaAuthors]

This deal is too good to ignore - save 50% on "A Traveler's Guide to the Stars", now through 10/21. @LesAuthor, and @LesAuthor https://t.co/wbQCQXZxdx

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

Did you know Pepsi flew aboard the Space Shuttle in 1985? Astronauts actually taste-tested soda in zero gravity! Would you try space cola? 👇 #SpaceHistory #Pepsi #ColaWars #FunFact #SpaceShuttle

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

Order here: https://t.co/P9M8yusWj6

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

🚀 Love survival stories? "Back to the Moon" (by @TravisSTaylor & me) takes Jack London's grit to the lunar frontier. Space, danger, teamwork—it's "The Call of the Wild" in orbit. Audiobook 70% off till Oct 11! 🎧 Grab yours before liftoff:https://t.co/P9M8yusWj6 #BookTok #SciFi

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

@WayneR9421 I've read it once and watch the movie version with Patrick Stewart just about every Christmas.

[Les Johnson @LesAuthor]

Recently saw Charles Dickens’ actual writing desk at the NYC Public Library. For me, A Tale of Two Cities will always stand out as his masterpiece. What Dickens novel inspired you?
#CharlesDickens #NYPL #BookLovers #History