"Speaker for the Dead" might make it. Also, following the theme of more philosophical aspects of exploring new planets, "Solaris" could be a good choice too. Bo

"Speaker for the Dead" might make it. Also, following the theme of more philosophical aspects of exploring new planets, "Solaris" could be a good choice too. Both books are classics ("Solaris" of a literature in general, not only of sci-fi) so it wouldn't hurt knowing them even if they are not exactly what you asked for.