Space Explorers: 25 Extraordinary Stories of Space Exploration and Adventure

by Libby Jackson, Lïonard Dupond (Illustrator)

Overview

This beautifully illustrated anthology illuminates twenty-five extraordinary stories of space exploration, adventure, and human achievement, from a leading expert in human spaceflight.

Launch Yourself into the Great Unknown.

The universe has always fascinated humans, but only a few have been daring enough to travel beyond the surface of the Earth. From the first man and woman in space to the moon landings to building the International Space Station in orbit, the history of space exploration is filled with peril, bravery, and strokes of genius.

In this beautifully illustrated anthology, spaceflight expert Libby Jackson reveals the best true stories of humankind’s thrilling journey to the stars and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781582707648
Publisher:	Aladdin/Beyond Words
Publication date:	08/10/2021
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	1,100,597
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Libby Jackson is one of Britain’s leading experts in human spaceflight, having spent over a decade working at the forefront of the field. Space was her childhood passion and after completing degrees in physics at Imperial College London and astronautics and space engineering at Cranfield University, she has worked in the space industry ever since. Libby is passionate about sharing stories of human spaceflight and encouraging young people to follow their passions in life. Libby is the author of Space Explorers and a frequent contributor on television and radio, including Stargazing Live, The Big Think: Should We Go To Mars?, and Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?.

Léonard Dupond graduated from Ecole de Condé Paris in 2015. He has since illustrated three books for La Martinière Jeunesse, designed eighteen book covers, and worked for various institutional and commercial clients. Léonard is represented by Agent 002 in France and Garance Illustration Agency in the United States. He currently lives and shares a workspace in Lille, France.

Table of Contents

We Have Lift-off! 6

The First Space Traveler 12

The Human Computer 19

A Nice Day for a Short Spacewalk 27

A Very Important Packed Lunch 37

The Spinning Spacecraft 44

Going to the Moon for Christmas 51

The Eagle's Landing 59

The Chosen Ones 70

Houston, We've Had a Problem 75

When It All Goes Wrong 85

Secrets, Spies, and Satellites 90

Sally and Svetlana 98

Astronaut Wanted: No Experience Necessary 104

Crash, Bang, Wallop! 112

A Home in the Stars 121

Do You Have What It Takes? 129

Don't Forget the Toothbrush 136

The Singing Starman 142

Swimming in a Fishbowl 149

Life in Space 157

Raspberries in Space 163

Is There Anyone Out There? 169

Homemade Spaceships 177

Going to Mars 185

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2021

Gr 3–7—Jackson, a program manager at the UK Space Agency, captures key moments in space exploration from the launch of Sputnik to plans for the first Mars mission: "These stories are not creations of imagination, no matter how unbelievable they may at first seem." Arranged chronologically, the stories include a variety of famous achievements and individuals. There are also discussions of astronaut selection and details about astronaut meals. A large-scale illustration complements each story. The images capture the tension of the control room during the Apollo 13 mission, the humor of an astronaut chasing floating wasabi peas on the International Space Station, or the faces of all those who have died on missions. With its narrative approach, this volume could easily be used to introduce various topics in the classroom—from satellites to planetary expeditions. VERDICT An enjoyable read for space enthusiasts and a helpful addition to library collections.—Suzanne Costner, Fairview Elem. Sch., Maryville, TN

School Library Journal

2021-06-02
Twenty-five tales of space explorers and exploration from the launch of the space race to an upcoming trip to Mars.

Only that final yarn is speculative, and though most of the rest will be familiar to students of Space Age history, Jackson has found a number of hidden gems to highlight. These include the contributions of engineer Mary Sherman Morgan to the success of the U.S.’s inaugural Explorer 1 mission; how Svetlana Savitskaya and Sally Ride, respectively the second and third women to travel in space, once met in secret; and the story of a major collision that nearly destroyed the Mir space station. Aside from a chapter on space-program fatalities the overall tone is boosterish, and readers wondering if space travel could be in their career plans will definitely find inspiration in the profile of candy chemist Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, and in the author’s recruitment pitch for prospective International Space Station workers. Dupond’s blocky illustrations add a retro-futurist tone, and if human figures in the art are often too stylized to show racial distinctions, at least the narrative picks up NASA’s laggard decision to accept “people of different genders and ethnicities [from] white men” as trainee astronauts. Closing overviews of up-to-date prospects for commercial space flight and of a hypothetical journey to Mars create a soaring sky’s-the-limit send-off.

Technological triumphs get proper nods, but it’s the people-centric focus that boosts this into orbit. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 11-13)

Kirkus Reviews