Travis S. Taylor

His scientific background includes:[12]

• B.E.E. Electrical Engineering, Auburn University (1991)[4]
• M.S. Physics, University of Alabama, Huntsville (1994)

Thesis: Rewriteable magneto-optic compact disk based optical processor[13]

• PhD Optical Science and Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville (1999)

Dissertation: Laboratory simulation of atmospheric turbulence induced optical wavefront distortion[13]

• M.S.E. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville (2001)

Thesis: Advanced solar and laser sail propulsion concepts for interstellar space travel[13]

• Master of Astronomy, University of Western Sydney, Nepean (ca. 2004)[14]
• PhD Aerospace Systems Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville (2012)

Dissertation: Implementing planetary meteor impact craters as high gain radio frequency dish reflector antennas[13]

To obtain his accredited online master's degree in astronomy from the University of Western Sydney in Australia, he built an extrasolar planet imaging instrument in his backyard using a plastic pipe, telescopic camera, and $200 computer.[2]

• Introduction to Rocket Science and Engineering (ISBN 1420075284).CRC Press.
• Preliminary analysis of light sail systems engineering concepts.AIP.
• In-space propulsion: connectivity to in-space fabrication and repair.NASA.
• Solar sail application to comet nucleus sample return.NASA.
• Long-Pulse Narrow-Linewidth Dispersive Solid-State Dye-Laser Oscillator.OSA (co-authored with physicist Frank Duarte).
• SPIE Digital Library (The world's largest collection of optics and photonics applied research) Journal and Proceedings Articles for Travis S. Taylor.SPIE.

Taylor's first novel examines ideas for using quantum mechanics and general relativity to create a method of warping space, first for use as a superluminal propulsion system and later as a weapon. The novel introduces Dr. Neal Anson Clemons, a physicist who is the primary creator of the warp drive, and Taylor's first recurring character. Much of Dr. "Doc" Clemons's character appears to be inspired by Taylor's own life, from academic background and competitive karate training to sharing the same nickname. Clemons' middle name is shared with Robert Anson Heinlein, a clear homage to an influential science fiction writer.

Warp Speed belongs to the genre known as an Edisonade. Warp Speed was voted No. 3 best science fiction book of 2005 by The Preditors & Editors Readers Poll.[15]

Revisiting the world created by Warp Speed, Taylor shows the world from the point of view of another character named Steven Montana. Montana is a stereotypical slacker who works in the technology industry. His world was brought to a sudden halt by events from Warp Speed, and The Quantum Connection picks up the story several years after the original events. The book explores the ideas of quantum mechanics, nanotechnology, inter-planetary defense and realistic space-born warfare. It also introduces the "Grey Aliens" of UFOlogy. This book was voted No. 5 on the Preditors & Editors 2005 Science Fiction Book of the Year poll.

(collaboration with John Ringo).

Released in July 2006, Von Neumann's War is about an invasion of the present day Sol System by alien robotic Von Neumann probes, and the battle by Earth's forces to stop them, combining of Taylor's hard science fiction and John Ringo's military perspective on the genre. It is supplemented by an e-book available from Baen called Neighborhood Watch Final Report[16] which is a mock-up of the (fictional) classified technical report to the National Reconnaissance Office describing the discovery of the invasion force on Mars at the beginning of the novel.

(co-authored with Bob Boan, R.C. Anding and T. Conley Powell)

Subtitled A Study of Modern Warfare Applied to Extra-Terrestrial Invasion, this book examines defending Earth in the event of an extraterrestrial invasion. Rather than outlining extreme (and possibly paranoid) possibilities for the sake of entertainment, the authors keep most of their speculation within the known possible world (although they do allow for the possibility of faster-than-light travel).

Some have commented that it is written as if Taylor is "preaching to the choir," those who are already familiar with the global covert intelligence community. The book makes several assumptions that are common among its intended readership but not necessarily shared by the general public. In particular, the authors insist that any alien contact should be kept secret if at all possible, despite the hindrance this would present to a coordinated global defense effort, not to mention the difficulties of maintaining such secrecy in the first place. They also list perceived problems within the United States, such as shortsightedness and inadequate knowledge of the subject matter on the part of politicians, and a tendency on the part of NASA to focus on superficial observations that are more beneficial to public relations.

The book goes on to suggest that an organization be given funding and authority to investigate and prepare for extraterrestrial contact. Its conclusion is a variant on the Precautionary Principle: the authors advise that it would be better for humanity to prepare for an incursion which never happens than to suffer from an invasion for which we have not prepared.

The story takes place on Mars, where a group of separatists have launched an attack against the federal military personnel from Earth who have been instructed to guard them and the surrounding area. A senator, who is there to help with the peace negotiations, and his family get caught up in the subsequent battle and butchery. This book and its sequel The Tau Ceti Agenda both feature the heavy use of Mech-like warriors, very similar to those seen in the Robotech series.

(collaborations with John Ringo)

Ringo and Taylor wrote three books set in Ringo's Looking Glass series. Vorpal Blade (2007) features the USS Nebraska (SSBN-739) as it takes to the stars in an attempt to find the alien enemy race known as the Dreen. Manxome Foe (2008) and Claws That Catch (2008) continue the sequence.

(Collaboration with Darrell Bain)

From publisher Twilight Times Books, the 2009 book features Kyle Leverson, an Army veteran. Leverson, who is retired due to injuries sustained in combat, awakens one morning to discover some sort of alien pods had crashed onto his property in the remote mountains of Arkansas.[17]

Humanity's Separatist movement prepares the biggest sucker punch ever against Earth governments. The plan: Kill the U.S. president at Disney World and drive a quantum-teleported kamikaze starship into a heavily populated city. One thing the fanatical Separatists haven't figured on: an America military unleashed by a fighting president: an ex-Marine determined that terrorists won't have the final word on humanity's future! Sequel to One Day on Mars. Published 5/1/2008.

One Good Soldier is the third book in the military SF series beginning with One Day on Mars, taking place in a single critical day in the history of the United States of the Sol System, the extra-solar colonies, the Separatist Revolutionaries of the Tau Ceti system, and all of mankind.

(Collaboration with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center engineer Les Johnson)

A novel about a NASA moon mission which ends up having to rescue stranded Chinese astronauts already on the moon. The book is entirely built around Constellation Program technology, and was, unfortunately, already obsolete before it came out in print owing to the cancellation of the program just months earlier.

• Cosmic Tales: Adventures in Sol System

"The Cleaning Lady"

"Are We There Yet?" (nonfiction)

• Future Washington

"Agenda"

• Jim Baen's Universe Magazine

"Back to the Moon" (nonfiction)