Ben Bova's "Grand Tour" Novel series

[MATTBLAK]

Since the "Where are all the 'Space Geeks'?" thread seems to be locked(?!) I didn't get to tell some folks about Ben Bova's "Grand Tour" novel series which tells Bova's version of the exploration and colonisation of the Solar System. Starting 40 years or so in the future, by the most recent novel, most of the planets and asteroids have been explored and exploited, if not conquered. Mr Bova uses almost entirely credible science and technology to do this, mixed with real human stories and motivations (some say soap opera in an unkind context).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tour_%28novel_series%29

Of these novels, "Mars" and "Jupiter" are generally thought the best with "Powersat" and "Empire Builders" as honorable mentions.