Which book was that? I do know that Jerry Pournelle used that theme.
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.
You are thinking of Lucifer’s Hammer by Larry Niven and JP.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer%27s_Hammer
This link has reviews from various reviewers: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218467.Lucifer_s_Hammer