Destination Outer Space Two-Book Collection

The Space Race

Join award-winning science writer John Hamilton as he traces humanity’s race to the moon and the exploration of the final frontier. The Space Race tells the story of human spaceflight, from the dawn of rocketry to the Apollo moon landings. Every crewed American spaceflight is included, from Project Mercury to Gemini to Apollo. Also covered are vital details about important Soviet spaceflights, as well as America’s space shuttle, the International Space Station, and planned future missions.

Why did Neil Armstrong almost crash the Eagle lunar lander before becoming the first person to walk on the moon? Who was the first person to vomit in space? Who peed in his spacesuit while still on the launchpad? These questions and many more are answered in these inspiring—and sometimes humorous— stories of triumph, tragedy, and determination.

The Space Race is based on the bestselling hardcover series, now expanded and combined into a single-volume book for the first time. “… readers will find themselves immersed in the excitement.”—American Library Association Booklist. Perfect for school reports, but also a thrilling book for anyone interested in space, young or old.

In this 36,000-word history of the space race, you’ll discover: • Early rocketry, from Chinese fireworks to the terrifying German V-2 missiles of WWII. • The Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. • The origins of NASA. • The original Mercury 7 astronauts. • The spacecraft that brought us to the moon. • Concise biographies of the pioneering men and women who first explored the heavens. • Glossary and Timeline. • Over 75 historical images from NASA’s archives. • And much, much more!

The Space Race is thoroughly researched, easy to read, and filled with adventure. Boldly seek out your copy today!

Mission: Mars

Join award-winning science writer John Hamilton as he investigates Mars, describing its hold on humankind’s imagination and exploring the latest scientific efforts to unveil its many mysteries.

Mission: Mars tells the story of the Red Planet, from ancient folklore to modern orbiters and rovers surveying its dusty surface. Every mission is covered, from the Mariner orbiters to the Viking landers, from the Perseverance rover to future Mars colonies. Vital information about the planet includes its geology, atmosphere, gravity, and orbit. Also covered are geographical wonders such as Valles Marineris (the Grand Canyon of Mars) and Olympus Mons (the largest volcano in the solar system), as well as major craters, icy poles, and Mars’s two moons, Phobos and Deimos.

In this 36,000-word exploration of Mars, you’ll discover: • The impact of Mars on modern culture, including H.G. Wells’s classic The War of the Worlds, Ray Bradbury’s masterpiece The Martian Chronicles, and modern works such as Andy Weir’s The Martian. • The promise—and challenge—of terraforming Mars. • The fleet of orbiters sending jaw-dropping images of the Red Planet’s surface. • More than 100 breathtaking images, most from NASA’s extensive archives. • Diagrams and detailed maps. • The search for water and microbial life. • NASA’s Orion and Space Launch System, which may one day take humans to Mars. • Glossary and Timeline. • Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. • And much, much more!