Did you know that space exploration is good for life here on Earth?
Living in space has led to many breakthroughs that can improve our lives. Research done on the International Space Station has led to new discoveries that have saved lives on Earth. Satellites in space let us communicate easily on our phones and power the GPS devices we use. And space exploration has even helped us learn how to purify water more easily and harness solar power, so we can take care of Earth's ecosystems and resources.
Still, space exploration requires a lot of resources like money and fuel. Can we justify using fossil fuels to fly rockets during a climate crisis? And how do we make sure we're not messing up the rest of the solar system? Is exploring the cosmos really worth the cost? To answer those questions, Beyond Earth dives into space exploration and its impact. Because it's not about finding planet B, it's about preserving planet A-and using space exploration to get us there.
Key Selling Points
• This STEM title examines space exploration today, how it benefits information and communication systems here on Earth, what it has taught us about human health and how space exploration can help solve issues such as the effects of climate change and declining resources on the planet.
• As the Artemis program prepares to send humans back to the moon and eventually to Mars, this topic is extremely topical.
• It deals with themes including the climate crisis; greenhouse gases emissions; alternative energy sources; health care and medical solutions; technology and innovation and food security.
• Each chapter features profiles of astronauts of the past, present and future such as Yuri Gagarin, Sally Ride, Chris Hadfield, the Artemis Crew and space tourists.
• This book is written by a mother-son team. Yolanda Ridge is an award-winning nonfiction writer with a specialty in science. She has two books in the Orca Footprints series. Oliver Ridge is studying astrophysics and is a Schulich Leader scholar at the University of Western Ontario.
Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers and illustrated with color photographs throughout, this book discusses space exploration and how it affects life on Earth.
Yolanda Ridge is the author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including What Poo Can Do: How Animals Are Fighting the Climate Crisis, Microbes to the Rescue: Using Bacteria, Algae and Fungi to Clean Up the Planet and two additional juvenile nonfiction titles from Annick Press. She's also written several middle-grade novels, including two environment-themed titles for Orca Young Readers. She has a master of science degree and is adept at making complex concepts understandable-a skill she uses in her science writing and teaching. Yolanda lives in Rossland, British Columbia.
Oliver Ridge is a Schulich Leader scholar at the University of Western Ontario. He's been inspired by the beauty of space for as long as he can remember and hopes to pursue a career in astrophysics. This is his first published book. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action. It's Time for Liftoff
"With attractive layouts, good use of white space, and kid-friendly facts sprinkled throughout, this will keep readers engaged and leave them with plenty to think about. An informative and attractive book for STEM-minded readers, suitable for public and school libraries."
