The Wonder Team and the Space Race


Book Description

It's time to kick off another time-twisting adventure with Leah Williamson, captain of the Euro-wining Lionesses! It’s time to kick off a time-twisting adventure with the Wonder Team! After suffering an injury on the football pitch, Leah is bored of resting at home. Her friends, Mimi and George, know that another adventure in time will cheer her up! Travelling back to 1950's America, the Wonder Team find themselves right in the middle of the Space Race. When one of the lead mathematicians goes missing, Leah and her friends must use all their detective skills to find her and stop the rocket launch ending in disaster. The Wonder Team and the Space Race is the fourth book in the bestselling series written with Jordan Glover and illustrated by Robin Boyden. Don't miss Leah and her friend's first adventures in The Wonder Team and The Forgotten Footballers and The Wonder Team and the Pharaoh's Fortune.




This New Ocean


Book Description

It was all part of man's greatest adventure--landing men on the Moon and sending a rover to Mars, finally seeing the edge of the universe and the birth of stars, and launching planetary explorers across the solar system to Neptune and beyond. The ancient dream of breaking gravity's hold and taking to space became a reality only because of the intense cold-war rivalry between the superpowers, with towering geniuses like Wernher von Braun and Sergei Korolyov shelving dreams of space travel and instead developing rockets for ballistic missiles and space spectaculars. Now that Russian archives are open and thousands of formerly top-secret U.S. documents are declassified, an often startling new picture of the space age emerges: the frantic effort by the Soviet Union to beat the United States to the Moon was doomed from the beginning by gross inefficiency and by infighting so treacherous that Winston Churchill likened it to "dogs fighting under a carpet"; there was more than science behind the United States' suggestion that satellites be launched during the International Geophysical Year, and in one crucial respect, Sputnik was a godsend to Washington; the hundred-odd German V-2s that provided the vital start to the U.S. missile and space programs legally belonged to the Soviet Union and were spirited to the United States in a derring-do operation worthy of a spy thriller; despite NASA's claim that it was a civilian agency, it had an intimate relationship with the military at the outset and still does--a distinction the Soviet Union never pretended to make; constant efforts to portray astronauts and cosmonauts as "Boy Scouts" were often contradicted by reality; the Apollo missions to the Moon may have been an unexcelled political triumph and feat of exploration, but they also created a headache for the space agency that lingers to this day. This New Ocean is based on 175 interviews with Russian and American scientists and engineers; on archival documents, including formerly top-secret National Intelligence Estimates and spy satellite pictures; and on nearly three decades of reporting. The impressive result is this fascinating story--the first comprehensive account--of the space age. Here are the strategists and war planners; engineers and scientists; politicians and industrialists; astronauts and cosmonauts; science fiction writers and journalists; and plain, ordinary, unabashed dreamers who wanted to transcend gravity's shackles for the ultimate ride. The story is written from the perspective of a witness who was present at the beginning and who has seen the conclusion of the first space age and the start of the second.




Team Moon


Book Description

“This behind-the-scenes look at the first Apollo moon landing has the feel of a public television documentary in its breadth and detail” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). Here is a rare perspective on a story we only thought we knew. For Apollo 11, the first moon landing, is a story that belongs to many, not just the few and famous. It belongs to the seamstress who put together twenty-two layers of fabric for each space suit. To the engineers who created a special heat shield to protect the capsule during its fiery reentry. It belongs to the flight directors, camera designers, software experts, suit testers, telescope crew, aerospace technicians, photo developers, engineers, and navigators. Gathering direct quotes from some of these folks who worked behind the scenes, Catherine Thimmesh reveals their very human worries and concerns. Culling NASA transcripts, national archives, and stunning NASA photos from Apollo 11, she captures not only the sheer magnitude of this feat but also the dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance of the greatest team ever—the team that worked to first put man on that great gray rock in the sky. Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award “An edge-of-your-seat adventure . . . Lavishly illustrated . . . This exhilarating book . . . will captivate.” —Chicago Sun-Times “Thimmesh gives names and voices to the army that got Neil Armstrong and company to the moon and back. The result is a spectacular and highly original addition to the literature of space exploration.” —The Horn Book “This beautiful and well-documented tribute will introduce a new generation to that triumphant time.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)




The Fantastic Space Race


Book Description

The Fantastic Space Race Summary of the story: The amazing story of Mia, Ben, Emma, and Max, four Stardust Ville teens with big dreams, shows how powerful interest, friendship, and hard work can be. Mia's dream of becoming an astronaut and Ben's love of making things lead them on an amazing journey to explore space and find out more about themselves. After meeting the brave astronaut Captain Orion by chance, Mia and Ben are asked to take part in a fun space race. They join Team Stellar with their new friends Emma and Max and go on an exciting trip to fight against other young explorers from faraway worlds. Their trip is full of danger, tests of their knowledge, amazing scenery, alien species, and cosmic wonders. The team moves forward because of how determined they are, how well they work together, and how much they always support each other. As Team Stellar moves through the steps of the Space Race, their dreams become tied to a higher goal. They understand how important it is to protect the wonders of space and become advocates for space travel and the preservation of the universe. After Mia and Ben won the Space Race and became recognized astronauts and inventors, they kept learning and having fun. They work together on missions that break new ground to find new planets and solve riddles in space. Every time they do something new together, their relationship gets stronger. This shows how important it is to be together and share memories. Years later, Mia and Ben put on their own Stardust Ville Space Race. They teach young people what they've learned and encourage them to be innovators. People from all over the world come to the event every year to show off their skills and work together to overcome challenges. Team Stellar's teamwork and determination are mirrored in a group of kids from different backgrounds. Through their shared experiences, Mia and Ben spread a love of space flight, inspire the next generation, and make the Stardust Ville Space Race a symbol of curiosity, teamwork, and the fact that the universe is full of possibilities. Their adventure has left a mark on Stardust Ville and beyond that will never be forgotten. Their memory lives on in the hearts of people who want to be explorers, scientists, or big-dreaming visionaries. The story of Mia, Ben, Emma, and Max is a monument to the power of friendship, determination, and the pursuit of goals to change people's lives. It is also a testament to the wonders that await those who are brave enough to travel into the unknown. How the story started: Once upon a time, in a small town called Stardust Ville, Mia and Ben were close friends who were both very interested in and eager to learn more about the universe. Mia had always wanted to be an astronaut so she could travel space and discover new worlds. She looked up at the stars and imagined that she was weightless and floating among them. This made her eyes shine with wonder. She read books about space and learned facts about planets, galaxies, and the secrets that lie beyond Earth's atmosphere. Ben, on the other hand, was fascinated by how creation seemed to have so many options. His mind was full of ideas for new products and tools. From a young age, he liked to take things apart and put them back together, always trying to figure out how they worked. He dreamed of making things that would change the world and make everyone's life easier and more fun. Mia and Ben would play in their backyard for hours, making up stories about it being an alien world or a secret laboratory. In their backyard adventures, they would build cardboard spaceships and go on epic, made-up journeys through the world, meeting strange creatures along the way. Mia's desire to become an astronaut came from her interest in the unknown and her desire to learn more about it. She knew that space was the last frontier and that it was full of secrets and riches. She wanted to see the majestic beauty of faraway worlds, float in space with no gravity, and see for herself how grand the universe is. Mia's desire to become an astronaut grew stronger every day as she read books, watched movies, and listened to music about space. Ben, on the other hand, saw invention as a way to unlock the secrets of the world and share them with everyone. He thought that if he made things, he could connect the glory of space to people's everyday lives on Earth. Ben would spend hours in his room drawing and making models of his ideas, always trying to amaze and inspire other people. He wanted to be a creator because he wanted to push the limits of what was possible and leave a lasting mark on the world. As Mia and Ben talked about their plans, they realized that they were both interested in the same things. Mia knew that she would need new ideas and tools to explore space, and Ben knew that his ideas could reach new heights if they were used in the vast universe. They praised and helped each other, and they often worked together on projects that helped both of them reach their goals. Mia and Ben were doing their favorite thing, which was to look at the stars, on a nice day. They felt at home in Mia's garden, where they sat on a soft blanket and looked up at the night sky. As they looked up at the stars, they saw something that caught their attention. It was a shooting star; a brilliant light show that swept across the sky. The shooting star left behind a bright trail of dust that sparkled and moved in the moonlight. Mia's eyes became big with joy as she pointed to what she saw. "Wow, that shooting star looks so magical!" she said with a tone of surprise and awe. Ben, who was just as amazed, nodded in agreement and couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful scene. They watched as the shooting star moved across the sky, leaving a bright trail that filled the night with a beautiful, magical light. Mia and Ben couldn't help but wonder if this shooting star was more than what it seemed to be. People thought that it might have a secret or be sending a word from another world. Mia and Ben agreed to go on a mission to figure out what was going on with the shooting star because they both liked to try new things. They put a notebook, a flashlight, and a small lens in their bags so they could follow the mysterious guest's trail and see what it led to. Mia and Ben followed the glittering path into the trees around them. They were led by the light that seemed to be calling them on. Every step was full of excitement and fear, and their hearts were pounding with excitement and fear. What will you find at the end of this interesting trip? As they continued their search, the sparkles led them to an area where the moonlight was soft and comforting. In the middle, a strange thing stood in the middle of an ethereal glow. It was a small disk that glowed and hummed in a way that seemed to connect with their souls. Mia cautiously walked up to the mysterious object, her eyes wide with wonder and excitement. She reached out and put her fingers on the surface of the glowing sphere. To her surprise, the sphere answered by glowing with a warm light. It seemed like the shooting star chose Mia and Ben to tell what it knew. At that exact moment, the orb unfolded, revealing a holographic image of an old star map. Mia and Ben yelled, and their hearts were beating fast with excitement. The chart showed a series of faraway stars that made a path to Star Haven, a mythical paradise in the sky. Mia and Ben promised that they would go on a great adventure to follow the star map and find the magical Star refuge. Their hearts were full of courage and determination. They knew that this adventure would be different from anything else they had done before, but they were excited to face the unknown and find out more about the world. Mia and Ben didn't know that their lives were about to change for the rest of their lives. The shooting star gave them a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go on a journey through space that was full of fascinating finds and thrilling encounters. They went out into the night, their hearts filled with the magic of the universe. The orb and the trail of sparkles led them. Just as Mia and Ben made their wish on the shooting star, the mood in Stardust Ville changed. A rumbling sound filled the air, and then an old, rusty rocket ship fell from the sky and landed with a thud in the middle of the main area in Stardust Ville. As the rocket landed, dust and debris flew everywhere, showing a slowly opening door. A figure came out wearing a spacesuit with badges and patches all over it. Captain Orion was there. He was a great scientist who was known for being brave and adventurous. His eyes were bright from the many space missions he had been on, and his presence was filled with awe-inspiring power. When Mia and Ben saw that they were in the same room as their hero, their jaws dropped. Captain Orion had a good name, and people had always praised how brave and determined he was. It was more than they could have ever imagined seeing him standing in their small town. Captain Orion smiled at the stunned crowd as he greeted them. He spoke in a way that showed he was sure of himself and had a lot of experience. "Hello, people of Stardust Ville!" he shouted. "I'm here to tell you about an amazing Space Race between young explorers from different planets. The winners will get to visit Zephyria, a newly discovered planet." As word spread like flames, the whole town cheered. Mia and Ben were happy to see that their dreams of going to space were coming true. Captain Orion saw how excited they were and walked up to them with his eyes shining with interest. "You two seem eager for an adventure," Captain Orion said in a voice full of interest and encouragement. "Would you like to join the Space Race and represent the Stardust villa?" Mia and Ben enthusiastically said, "Yes!" This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for them to make their dreams come true. Captain Orion said that Mia and Ben would need to put together a team of four people, each with a special skill, in order to fight in the Space Race. Their knowledge, ability to solve problems, and ability to work together would be tested through a number of challenges.




Review of the Space Program


Book Description




The Space Race


Book Description

Get ready to blast back to the past and learn all about the Space Race! When people think about the Space Race, things like astronauts and the Soviet Union may come to mind. But why was there a race, and who won anyway? This engaging nonfiction book, complete with black and white interior illustrations, will make readers feel like they've traveled back in time. It covers everything from the Cold War to the moon landing, and more. Find out interesting, little-known facts such as how the moon has an unpleasant odor and how a prototype of the ballpoint pen was invented by NASA for astronauts to use in zero-gravity conditions! The unique details along with the clever and humorous interior illustrations make this series stand out from the competition.




Endurance


Book Description

NATIONAL BEST SELLER A stunning, personal memoir from the astronaut and modern-day hero who spent a record-breaking year aboard the International Space Station—a message of hope for the future that will inspire for generations to come. The veteran of four spaceflights and the American record holder for consecutive days spent in space, Scott Kelly has experienced things very few have. Now, he takes us inside a sphere utterly hostile to human life. He describes navigating the extreme challenge of long-term spaceflight, both life-threatening and mundane: the devastating effects on the body; the isolation from everyone he loves and the comforts of Earth; the catastrophic risks of colliding with space junk; and the still more haunting threat of being unable to help should tragedy strike at home--an agonizing situation Kelly faced when, on a previous mission, his twin brother's wife, American Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was shot while he still had two months in space. Kelly's humanity, compassion, humor, and determination resonate throughout, as he recalls his rough-and-tumble New Jersey childhood and the youthful inspiration that sparked his astounding career, and as he makes clear his belief that Mars will be the next, ultimately challenging, step in spaceflight. In Endurance, we see the triumph of the human imagination, the strength of the human will, and the infinite wonder of the galaxy.




Space Race


Book Description

This book explores various perspectives surrounding the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Readers are immersed in the action as their choices guide the narrative.




Space Race


Book Description




Flight


Book Description

This book is the account of Chri Kraft and the U.S. space program from its infancy to its greatest triumphs.