Audiobooks discussion

Not sure if this is the right category but I am looking for a book ...
The last time I saw it it was almost 20 years ago and I believe the book was older than that so maybe 70's?

Its a longshot given the meek information I have but maybe someone has it or knows it.

All I have is a book cover and description. The book cover was of a astronaut in a space suit long dead. Basically a skeleton in a space suit. I cant remember if it was mars or the moon. I recall the suit being red I think. The description was that the current space program found this body on the planet and leads to a mystery as the suit was very old and the space program very new.
I recall reading the first pages or so. It seems it was the man in the suit was trying to make it to a base before he ran out of air but I guess he was unsuccessful. Beyond that I have no more info. I had the book in my hand as a kid but I never had the time to read it as it was not mine. Looking back I am so curious to find it again and read it.
So does this ring a bell with anyone. Again, I know, a long shot but ....

I don't know the book you are looking for, but this sub-reddit on Reddit is a great place to ask such questions.

http://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/

Good luck!

I Googled your question and came up with Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan.

Okay Jennifer, I am a Dummy. That's the one. I live and die by google but the one time I could have used it I thought of goodreads first. Sigh. I am humbled by your greatness and my stupidity.

Case closed. Thanks again.

I'm so happy I could help :-)

Wow, you guys are amazing! I'm going to check out that reddit thread because I also have a long-shot book I am looking for.

Didn't even read the whole thing, just the first part. I ran across it maybe 15+ yrs ago but have now idea how old it might have been at the time.

The set-up was a female scientist/alien who had been assigned to observe (and observe only!) Earth to see which direction humans would go. It seems most planets with life reached a point at which the inhabitants had to decide to a) go forward with space exploration or b) first address the issues their people had created, war, poverty, etc - clean up their own acts and THEN see about expanding. According to this alien race who only observed, the planets with populations which opted for B inevitably perished.

Any clues? (As I said, I'll also try posting this on the reddit site.) I know it's pretty skimpy info but can't hurt to try.

There is a group right here on GR that answers these questions also.

What's the Name of that Book?

Someone already beat me to it but it's a really interesting series. I enjoyed Giants Star the most.