Space Exploration

I ordered two copies for my husband, who tutors a 3rd grader weekly. He found this book much better than anything available in the classroom, and the subject interests most boys (and perhaps girls) in this age group.

Since President Bush declared his intention to have the United States go back to the Moon, establish a permanent base, and go to Mars, space exploration is in the news again. When I first started going to school my father was stationed in Florida and we would get out of class to go outside and watch the Mercury flights take off, so I remember when space exploration was an exciting idea and when the entire planet watched the first landing on the moon. But then I also remember when we stopped going to the moon and the only time we really paid attention to space missions was when a shuttle was destroyed.This volume on "Space Exploration" for the Eyewitness Books series covers the entire history of these efforts, going back to the dreams of space from ancient sky watching to the speculative writings of science fiction. After explaining what is "space," Carole Stott establishes the idea of people from around the world being involved in the exploration of space, symbolized by Apollo 18 docked to Soyuz 19. The historical survey begins with the first rocket scientists, the idea of the reusable rocket, and the space race, with its early space travelers, and the landing of humans on the moon. The next major section talks about how to become an astronaut, what they wear, how they live and work in space. Sections are devoted to the danger and disasters of space exploration, space stations, and the various satellites and probes that have been sent off into space. The final units look at the future in space, how space technology has been used on Earth, and what lies ahead. Of course, that last bit needs to be updated now, but you have to expect new plans would pop up for the 21st century.As always this is a book where the photographs are so impressive that you often forget there is some text for each of these two-page spreads. However, a lot of the information is to be found in the captions for all those photographs. The end result is a lot of breadth, which sacrifices depth, but that is the same effect you would get if you were at a museum getting to see all of these things in person. Of course, no museum on Earth (or in space) has all of these items, which range from the patch worn by the first Mongolian in space to toys from McDonalds that encourage youth interest in space. Do not be surprised when young readers get excited by seeing how astronauts sleep and drink Coke in space.

"Eyewitness Space Exploration" Tells about space and its many factors. I recommened this book for those who a really in to space (rockets, going to the moon, that kind of thing.)

The Eyewitness Space Exploration is a good book. Did you ever wonder how it would be to be an astronaut? Or how long to train for the journey? To find out these answers, read this book.