In 'Spaceman', astronaut Mike Massimino shares his exhilarating journey from a young boy dreaming of the stars to a veteran of the space shuttle program. With humor and heart, he reveals the trials of rigorous training and the awe-inspiring moments of spacewalks that defy imagination. Readers will be captivated by the blend of personal anecdotes and the formidable challenges of space exploration. Massimino's passion for science and adventure shines through, inspiring a new generation to look to the skies. Join him as he navigates the cosmos and his own life's greatest obstacles in a quest for knowledge and discovery.
By Mike Massimino
Published: 2016
""In the vastness of space, we discover not only the universe itself but also the limitless potential within each of us to reach for the stars.""
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Have you ever wondered what it would be like to find yourself strapped to a giant rocket that’s about to go from zero to 17,500 miles per hour? Or to look back on Earth from outer space and see the surprisingly precise line between day and night? Or to stand in front of the Hubble Space Telescope, wondering if the emergency repair you’re about to make will inadvertently ruin humankind’s chance to unlock the universe’s secrets? Mike Massimino has been there, and in Spaceman he puts you inside the suit, with all the zip and buoyancy of life in microgravity. Massimino’s childhood space dreams were born the day Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. Growing up in a working-class Long Island family, he catapulted himself to Columbia and then MIT, only to flunk his first doctoral exam and be rejected three times by NASA before making it through the final round of astronaut selection. Taking us through the surreal wonder and beauty of his first spacewalk, the tragedy of losing friends in the Columbia shuttle accident, and the development of his enduring love for the Hubble Telescope—which he and his fellow astronauts were tasked with saving on his final mission—Massimino has written an ode to never giving up and the power of teamwork to make anything possible. Spaceman invites us into a rare, wonderful world where science meets the most thrilling adventure, revealing just what having “the right stuff” really means.
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“"In the vastness of space, we discover not only the universe itself but also the limitless potential within each of us to reach for the stars."”
Spaceman
By Mike Massimino
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Mike Massimino is a former NASA astronaut and a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University. He is best known for his captivating memoir "Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe," which chronicles his journey from a childhood dreamer to space traveler. Massimino is recognized for his engaging writing style that combines humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful reflections on space exploration and its impact on humanity. He is also a popular public speaker and has made numerous television appearances, where he shares his experiences of space missions and the importance of science and education.
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