Cover reads "by Arthur C. Clarke, co-author of 2001: a space odyssey" (first published 1968). "Books by Arthur C. Clarke", on half title verso, lists no works published after 1968.
Date of publication estimated from presence of 10-digit ISBN on title page verso (not used until 1970); dates of works published by Arthur C. Clarke on half title verso, and verified dates of other volumes in Harbrace paperbound library in Internet speculative fiction database. This may be the second printing (printing statement on title page verso reads BCDEFGHIJ).
By the mid-twenty first century tourism on the Moon has become commonplace. However, one day the tourist cruiser Selene disappears on a trip to the Sea of Thirst, buried in the dust, and a rescue operation ensues.