Mission Control

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is one of the most ambitious scientific endeavors of our time. Since its launch in 2021, astronomers have learned much more about space and our place in it. This volume explores the groundbreaking discoveries JWST is making, from glimpsing the birth of stars and galaxies to searching for signs of life on distant exoplanets. Through vibrant full-color photographs and intriguing fact boxes, students learn how this cutting-edge observatory was designed and built to peer deeper into the cosmos than ever before.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was designed to travel to the asteroid Bennu, collect a sample, and return it to Earth. Studying Bennu could provide insights into the origins of life on Earth and the potential for resources in space. This volume explores the captivating story of how scientists and engineers overcame incredible challenges to unlock the secrets of the solar system's early days. Informative fact boxes and in-depth sidebars ignite the curiosity and imagination of young readers, showing them that the sky is not the limit-it's just the beginning.

Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 embarked on a grand tour of the outer planets, providing stunning images and groundbreaking discoveries about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. This volume examines the innovative technology and daring maneuvers that propelled the Voyagers into interstellar space, where they continue to send back data from beyond our solar system. The intriguing main text, augmented with vivid full-color photographs and captivating fact boxes, ignites young readers' passion for astronomy, science, and the spirit of discovery.

NASA's groundbreaking Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon and lay the groundwork for future Mars expeditions. Readers discover the cutting-edge technology, courageous astronauts, and visionary leaders behind this monumental mission. The engaging main text, augmented with stunning full-color photographs and informative sidebars, will ignite the imaginations of young readers and inspire them to dream big about humanity's next giant leap into the cosmos. A list of age-appropriate books and websites provides a starting point for further independent research.

If all goes according to plan, NASA's Parker Solar Probe will be the first spacecraft to "touch" the sun. This groundbreaking mission was designed to uncover the mysteries of our local star by traveling closer than any human-made object before. Readers learn about the innovative technology that allows the probe to withstand the sun's intense heat and radiation, and discover the incredible scientific insights it could provide about solar winds, solar flares, and the sun's corona. Stunning full-color photographs and fascinating fact boxes enhance the inspiring story of this daring mission.