Fresh off the heels of Artemis II, it’s hard not to feel a renewed sense of awe about space and the people who dare to explore it. If you’re looking to stay in that orbit a little longer, these 6 books offer everything from firsthand astronaut stories to big-picture thinking about humanity’s future beyond Earth.
Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds
By Scott Solomon
Our species is already building its presence in space, and opportunities for more of us to venture beyond Earth’s orbit will only expand. We need to be ready for how living on the Moon or Mars could fundamentally change what it means to be human. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Scott Solomon, or view on Amazon.
Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change
By Cady Coleman
One of America’s few female astronauts reveals the wisdom that helped her overcome the barriers of others’ expectations—and learn to work on a team both in close quarters and remotely. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Cady Coleman, or view on Amazon.
A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?
By Kelly & Zach Weinersmith
In a world hurtling toward human expansion into space, A City on Mars investigates the dream of new worlds and answers every question about space you’ve ever wondered about, and many you’ve never considered. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Kelly Weinersmith, or view on Amazon.
Crush: Close Encounters with Gravity
By James Riordon
Gravity is the most mysterious force in the universe, despite being the one humanity has been aware of the longest. Although its an everyday presence, gravity is weird, puzzling, and still far from fully understood. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author James Riordon, or view on Amazon.
Pillars of Creation: How the James Webb Telescope Unlocked the Secrets of the Cosmos
By Richard Panek
The James Webb Space Telescope is gradually revealing the origin story of our universe and life itself. Observations seen through its lens often defy what astronomers expected to see. As researchers adjust their expectations and predictions, our understanding of genesis in the cosmos is rapidly changing. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Richard Panek, or view on Amazon.
The Smart Mission: NASA’s Lessons for Managing Knowledge, People, and Projects
By Edward Hoffman, Matthew Kohut & Laurence Prusak
Three project management experts—all of whom have decades of experience at NASA and elsewhere—challenge the conventional wisdom on project management. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Edward Hoffman, or view on Amazon.
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