Born to Explore: John Casani’s Grand Tour of the Solar System (Outward Odyssey: A People’s History of Spaceflight)

Jay Gallentine's Born to Explore profiles John Casani, a central but little-known figure at JPL, tracing his life, leadership philosophy, and influence over major robotic missions.

The book combines biography with mission history, using Casani's career—especially his management of Galileo—as a lens to explain how complex planetary projects overcome technical and political obstacles.

Gallentine draws on years of interviews and archival research to reveal Casani's team-building tactics, decision-making style, and moral compass shaped by his upbringing.

The narrative highlights episodes like the Galileo redesigns, shuttle-era complications, and the famous goat recruitment story to illustrate how personnel management and leadership determined mission success.

Born to Explore makes the case that Casani's methods and legacy remain embedded in JPL practices today.