American Space Missions: Astronauts, Exploration, and Discovery

Gemini 4 pilot Ed White could see Hawaii, California, Texas, and Florida. Millions of Americans had seen these places before, but White had a unique view. He looked at them while walking in space. One hundred miles above Earth and moving freely outside the Gemini 4 spacecraft, White saw these states as tiny stepping stones. The first American spacewalk was a monumental achievement, and it helped push the space program toward its ultimate goal of landing men on the Moon. From the brave astronauts to the technology that made it possible, author Carl R. Green explores the astounding Gemini 4 mission.

Soaring through space at 25,000 per hour, Apollo 13 was on course for the Moon. Suddenly, the three astronauts aboard the spacecraft heard a loud bang. A strong vibration rumbled through the crew cabin. There had been an explosion in the oxygen tank. More than 200,000 miles from Earth, Apollo 13 was in grave danger. The astronauts had planned to land on the Moon, but now they had a new mission: survival. Author Henry M. Holden delivers the gripping details of how three astronauts, with the help of NASA scientists on Earth, turned a story of disaster into one of triumph.

Traveling more than 17,000 miles per hour in constant orbit around Earth, astronauts live and work aboard the International Space Station. Despite the hostile environment of space, the ISS has suitable living conditions for its workers. Astronauts breathe clean air, eat shrimp cocktail, exercise daily, take baths, and take out the trash, in zero gravity, of course. Floating around the ISS, the astronauts have important jobs, conducting experiments and doing research projects. Author Henry M. Holden explores the base camp to the universe from its design and construction to the amazing astronauts who work there.

On the frigid morning of January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger rumbled off the launchpad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Brilliant orange flames and clouds of smoke billowed out of the external fuel tank, lifting Challenger high into the crystal-blue sky. The mission had attracted worldwide attention. NASA was sending the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, into space. Crowds gathered to watch the launch, and millions tuned in on television, but less than two minutes into the mission, Challenger exploded in midair, and the historic day ended in tragedy. Author Henry M. Holden takes an in-depth look at this space shuttle disaster.

On July 20, 1969, the world watched on televisions or listened on radios as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first-ever steps on the Moon. Once considered an impossible dream, the United States created the Apollo program with one goal in mind, landing on the Moon. After many years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication, the Apollo 11 mission made that dream a reality. Author Carl R. Green explores one of the most monumental achievements in human history.

Would your readers like to see a colossal storm on the planet Saturn? Or would you rather see the black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy? Is it possible to see a planet in another galaxy 13 billion light years away? Orbiting high above Earth, the Hubble Telescope captures all these amazing wonders of space. Incredible photographs are relayed back to Earth, allowing scientists and astronomers to study parts of space that were once completely unknown. Author Michael D. Cole explores the remarkable journey of launching this telescope into space and how it can unlock the greatest mysteries of the universe.