The word "astronaut" comes from the Greek words meaning "star sailor." Astronauts come from all walks of life but they must all go through extensive training before they are ready to head into space. In order to become an astronaut, you have to have a master's degree in a STEM field, have several years of related work experience, and be physically and mentally strong enough to pass a long-duration flight physical. Astronauts must then train for two years before they are ready to go to space.
NASA's first class of astronauts were selected in 1959, and they are known as the "Mercury 7." They included: Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra, Deke Slayton, John Glenn, and Scott Carpenter. So far, NASA has selected 360 people to become astronauts.
Source: NASA
The Astrochimps by
"Vividly portrayed, meticulously researched picture" -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION AWARD CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST OF THE BEST BOOKS SELECTION, 2024 Meet Ham, Minnie, Enos, Roscoe, Tiger, and Rocky. When the United States was scrambling to catch up to the Soviets after their successful launch of Sputnik, they didn't turn to Mercury Seven astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn. Rather, they began bringing chimpanzees to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico for a top-secret program. The goal? To do everything America needed to make space travel safe for humans and beat the Soviets. Based on extensive research and interviews with living members of the team of veterinarians, handlers, and psychologists who worked with the animals, The Astrochimps offers a fresh perspective on animal intelligence and the rise of the space age. Detailed back matter provides resources, space mission stats, and calls to action for young readers to honor the astrochimps' legacy and advocate for the humane treatment of chimpanzees today. At work, at play, in and out of spacecrafts, these chimps played an under-appreciated part in helping the United States win the Space Race.
Astronaut by
Imagine working in a laboratory that's 200 miles above Earth. You perform experiments on microbes, radiation, new types of metals, and even your own body. You travel to work on a spacecraft, work alongside robots, and drink your own recycled urine! It's all in a day's work for an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. Readers will discover how work in science and engineering is carried out every day by astronauts on the ISS. Told in a lively narrative style, this book includes firsthand accounts of astronauts' lives, entertaining anecdotes, cool facts, and fascinating behind-the-scenes images. Readers will also get the chance to try their hand at space science projects.
Ellen Takes Flight by
A Junior Library Guild Selection, Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, and National Science Teaching Association Best STEM Book ● Celebrate the groundbreaking life of astronaut and Johnson Space Center director Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space, in this "picture-book biography for tomorrow's astronauts" (Booklist). Young Ellen Ochoa loved to learn. An accomplished engineer by age 30, with three patents to her name, she kept learning and trying new things. When NASA began accepting women and people of color to the astronaut program, Ellen found herself drawn to this exciting and demanding career. On her first mission, she was the only woman aboard the shuttle Discovery and the first Latina to reach outer space. After four space flights, she became the first Latina director of the Johnson Space Center and has received numerous distinctions and awards. This addition to the award-winning Big Words biography series celebrates a STEM pioneer known for her brilliance, persistence, and an intellectual curiosity as infinite as the stars. With dynamic illustrations by Oliver Dominguez, Doreen Rappaport's richly detailed narrative--punctuated with standout quotes from Ellen herself--will inspire a new generation to unravel the mysteries of the universe. ★ "Brilliant, sure-handed gouache illustrations add even more vivid life to the well-paced text.... A book sure to fly off shelves and into children's hands." --Kirkus Reviews ★ "Inspirational." --Publishers Weekly ★ "The paintings are reminiscent of Norman Rockwell's work and have incredible detail.... An excellent picture book biography of a groundbreaking Latina that soars." --School Library Journal Don't miss these other titles in the Big Words series! Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Women have been traditionally underrepresented in space exploration, but that has changed in recent years. A career in space exploration is the perfect choice for a variety of people-from those who like conducting research about the universe while on Earth to adventurous souls who want to travel to and live in space. In this book, you'll learn about groundbreaking female astronauts and space research professionals, career paths in space exploration, how to prepare for the field, key skills for success, methods of learning more about careers while in school, and much more. Women in Space Exploration is just one of nine exciting titles in the Women in STEM Careers series. Readers will learn about dozens of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers and be inspired by the life stories of female STEM professionals. They will also learn why these careers are some of the most exciting, best-paying, and fastest-growing occupations in the world. Book jacket.
Neil Armstrong by
Readers will learn about Armstrong's early years, his time in the military, and how he joined NASA. They will also learn about his first mission into space and his second mission when he became the first man to walk on the moon! Each title is complete with simple text, a timeline, and great photographs of Armstrong from childhood to present times. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Abdo Kids Jumbo is an imprint of Abdo Kids, a division of ABDO.
Work It, Girl: Blast off Into Space Like Mae Jemison by
In this imaginatively illustrated book from the Work It, Girl series, discover how Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space in this true story of her life. Then, learn 10 key lessons from her work you can apply to your own life. When Mae Jemison was a little girl, she loved science, dancing, and dinosaurs. She watched the Apollo moon landings and wondered why none of the astronauts were women—and she just didn't buy the answers she was given...Work It, Girl is an empowering series of biographies featuring modern women in the world of work, from designers and musicians to CEOs and scientists. Each of these vibrantly illustrated books tells the story of a remarkable woman in 10 chapters that highlight transformative moments in her life, following the ups and downs that she faced on her road to success. At the end, 10 key lessons show what you can learn from these moments, and self-reflection questions help you apply these lessons to your own life. Brightly colored photo illustrations of 3-D cut paper artwork featuring inspiring quotes from these amazing women bring their stories to vivid life. Learn how to work it as you lay the foundations for your own successful career.
Astronaut in Training by
Want to go to space? Before launch, you've got some work to do! Find out what scuba diving, medical skills, and survival training all have to do with being an astronaut. Then it's 3-2-1 lift off!
NASA and the Astronauts by
Explores scientists' thrilling quest to send humans into outer space. Engaging text, vibrant photos, and informative infographics help readers learn about this important advancement in exploring space, as well as the people and technology that made it possible.
To Fly among the Stars: the Hidden Story of the Fight for Women Astronauts (Scholastic Focus) by
A searing look at the birth of America's space program, and the men and women aviators who set its course.In the 1960s, locked in a heated race to launch the first human into space, the United States selected seven superstar test pilots and former military air fighters to NASA's astronaut class -- the Mercury 7. The men endured grueling training and constant media attention for the honor of becoming America's first space heroes. But a group of 13 women -- accomplished air racers, test pilots, and flight instructors -- were enduring those same astronaut tests in secret, hoping to defy social norms and earn a spot among the stars.With thrilling stories of aviation feats, frustrating tales of the fight against sexism, and historical photos, To Fly Among the Stars recounts an incredible era of US innovation, and the audacious hope of the women who took their fight for space flight all the way to Washington, DC.
Astronauts by
In the graphic novel Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier, Jim Ottaviani and illustrator Maris Wicks capture the great humor and incredible drive of Mary Cleave, Valentina Tereshkova, and the first women in space. The U.S. may have put the first man on the moon, but it was the Soviet space program that made Valentina Tereshkova the first woman in space. It took years to catch up, but soon NASA's first female astronauts were racing past milestones of their own. The trail-blazing women of Group 9, NASA's first mixed gender class, had the challenging task of convincing the powers that be that a woman's place is in space, but they discovered that NASA had plenty to learn about how to make space travel possible for everyone.
The Mercury 13 (For Teens and Up) by
For readers of The Astronaut Wives Club, The Mercury 13 reveals the little-known true story of the remarkable women who trained for NASA space flight. In 1961, just as NASA launched its first man into space, a group of women underwent secret testing in the hopes of becoming America's first female astronauts. They passed the same battery of tests at the legendary Lovelace Foundation as did the Mercury 7 astronauts, but they were summarily dismissed by the boys' club at NASA and on Capitol Hill. The USSR sent its first woman into space in 1963; the United States did not follow suit for another twenty years. For the first time, Martha Ackmann tells the story of the dramatic events surrounding these thirteen remarkable women, all crackerjack pilots and patriots who sometimes sacrificed jobs and marriages for a chance to participate in America's space race against the Soviet Union. In addition to talking extensively to these women, Ackmann interviewed Chuck Yeager, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and others at NASA and in the White House with firsthand knowledge of the program, and includes here never-before-seen photographs of the Mercury 13 passing their Lovelace tests. Despite the crushing disappointment of watching their dreams being derailed, the Mercury 13 went on to extraordinary achievement in their lives: Jerrie Cobb, who began flying when she was so small she had to sit on pillows to see out of the cockpit, dedicated her life to flying solo missions to the Amazon rain forest; Wally Funk, who talked her way into the Lovelace trials, went on to become one of the first female FAA investigators; Janey Hart, mother of eight and, at age forty, the oldest astronaut candidate, had the political savvy to steer the women through congressional hearings and later helped found the National Organization for Women. A provocative tribute to these extraordinary women, The Mercury 13 is an unforgettable story of determination, resilience, and inextinguishable hope.
Who Was Neil Armstrong? by
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and, to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a "giant leap for mankind." This Eagle Scout built his own model planes as a little boy and then grew up to be a test pilot for experimental aircraft before becoming an astronaut. Over 80 black-and-white illustrations bring Armstrong's story to life.
Buzz Aldrin (National Geographic Kids Readers, Level 3) by
Blast off and experience humankind's first steps on the moon in this new biography about Buzz Aldrin. You'll learn about astronaut Aldrin's life -- his childhood, his work on NASA's Apollo 11 mission, and his dream to get humans to Mars. This biography tells a true hero's story. In addition to running text about his remarkable life and achievements, readers will find fun facts, quotes from Aldrin, and lots of amazing photographs. It's sure to captivate kids interested in history, famous people, and space exploration. National Geographic Readers' expert-vetted text, along with brilliant images and a fun approach to reading have proved to be a winning formula with kids, parents and educators. Level 3 text provides accessible yet wide-ranging information for kids reading on their own. Each reader includes text written by an experienced, skilled children's book author, a photo glossary, and interactive features in which kids get to reinforce what they've learned in the book. This biography is timed to release in advance of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and Buzz Aldrin's historic expedition.