{"product_id":"on-a-mission-isbn-9781588347763","title":"On a Mission","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe definitive history of all 61 American women astronauts that's perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eThe Six \u003c\/i\u003eeager for more\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSally Ride became a household name as the first American woman in space, but scores of equally impressive women have also left their mark in space. \u003ci\u003eOn a Mission: The Smithsonian History of US Women Astronauts \u003c\/i\u003espans 45 years and 61 astronauts to share the epic journeys of women who made space for themselves in a male-dominated field.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eValerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and expert on human spaceflight, interviewed many of the US women astronauts to bring their experiences to life. She offers a culturally insightful history of their achievements, the challenges they've faced, and their distinctive stories. Collectively, they've completed more than 100 space shuttle missions and more than 30 long-duration stays on the International Space Station and Russian Space Station Mir, and they continue to prove themselves in present-day space exploration efforts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book includes 50 black-and-white photographs to complement the historical account. With its sweeping look from the first women astronauts to Christina Hammock Koch, assigned to the first crewed Artemis mission around the Moon, there is no comparably thorough book on America's women astronauts. \u003ci\u003eOn a Mission \u003c\/i\u003eis an inspiring tribute to unsung women's history.\u003cb\u003eLIBRARY JOURNAL\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A thoroughly researched historical record of American women’s experiences in astronautics, spanning 45 years. While focusing on the history of women’s integration into the space industry, she also provides a detailed description of astronaut training and offers a glimpse into the working environments in NASA and at the Kennedy Space Center. This book is unique in that it profiles each of the 61 American women who have traveled into space. The work’s value lies primarily in its broad historical perspective, complemented by more than 50 black-and-white archival photographs.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBOOKLIST\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\"Neal harnesses the awe-inspiring essence of these women who are invaluable to America’s history of space. Black-and-white photography gives readers a glimpse into their extraordinary lives...space enthusiasts will be enthralled by the glamorous lives and careers of these 61 women.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Make room on your bookshelf! This sweeping history of the women who’ve taken America into space celebrates nearly half a century of grit, guts, and plain hard work. Valerie Neal’s deep research is a gift to readers and researchers alike.” —\u003cb\u003eLynn Sherr, journalist and author of \u003ci\u003eSally Ride: America's First Woman in Space\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Through meticulous research and hours of interviews, Valerie Neal takes the reader on thrilling spacewalks, inside vital scientific research, and behind communication desks at mission control. The courage and resilience of these astronauts shines through every page. Neal has crafted an inspiring read for anyone who believes that the sky is not the limit—just the beginning.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eNathalia Holt, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eRise of the Rocket Girls\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I was fortunate enough to fly with three of the exceptional women astronauts profiled in Valerie Neal’s excellent On a Mission. They, like their pioneering colleagues, brought talent, determination, and invaluable leadership to human exploration. In this definitive history, you’ll learn how NASA’s women astronauts are still making their mark on the space frontier.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Tom Jones, veteran NASA astronaut, author of \u003ci\u003eSkyWalking\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSpace Shuttle Stories\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“On a Mission is the tribute these trailblazing women have long deserved. Valerie Neal has captured their legacy with care and clarity, and this book is a powerful reminder that none of us launches alone.” \u003cb\u003e—Emily Calandrelli, aerospace engineer, science communicator, and the 100th woman in space\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Valerie Neal has established herself as the foremost world authority on NASA’s women astronauts, offering their stories, challenges, and triumphs in this exciting new book.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—Roger Launius, former Chief Historian of NASA and author of \u003ci\u003eSmithsonian Atlas of Space\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eVALERIE NEAL\u003c\/b\u003e is a curator emerita in the Department of Space History at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, where she oversaw the human spaceflight collections from the space shuttle and International Space Station programs, and she initiated the collection of artifacts from women astronauts. Her previous books include \u003ci\u003eDiscovery: Champion of the Space Shuttle Fleet\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSpaceflight in the Shuttle Era and Beyond\u003c\/i\u003e.","brand":"Smithsonian Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48233447456997,"sku":"NP9781588347763","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781588347763.jpg?v=1767734073","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/on-a-mission-isbn-9781588347763","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}