The book i read was a hardback with no cover, so no help there. I say 1940's-1970's because it seemed like an older book if you know what i mean, but it wasn't truly ancient.Memory synopsis-Initially unknown to the two married couples who are crew of the spaceship, the solar system they are sent to has no planets. They were given math puzzles and books to help them pass time on the voyage. During the voyage, the crew made several discoveries mathematically that change their worldview from noted scientists into believers in psychic phenomena and the i-ching. They start modifying their spaceship and one of the men dies accidentally, but it is ok because he had advanced enough to return to them as a real enough ghost to impregnate his wife. The wife during her pregnancy decides that she doesn't like carrying the child herself and as the ships botanist, creates cabbages to bring their children to term.At one point during the voyage they use their advancements to look ahead to their destination and discover the trick that had been played on them and one couple during sex, send psychic energy back at earth and in so doing knocks out all forms of electricity on all of earth in revenge.Upon reaching the empty solar system of their destination they use their advancements to create their own planet out of asteroids and meteorites and flourish.Feeling somewhat guilty at what they had done to earth, they send some of their children back to help the people of earth recover.
The crew of the Constitution--scientists cum astronauts--had been carefully screened for extremely high intelligence and superb physical qualities. They were to be the first explorers sent to another stellar system. There they would explore the planet Alpha-Aleph and then return. They were the toast of the world press--true heroes, for they were to go where no man had gone The crew of the Constitution--scientists cum astronauts--had been carefully screened for extremely high intelligence and superb physical qualities. They were to be the first explorers sent to another stellar system. There they would explore the planet Alpha-Aleph and then return. They were the toast of the world press--true heroes, for they were to go where no man had gone before. Or so they thought. ...more