Galaxy Girls - by Libby Jackson (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Filled with beautiful full-color illustrations, a groundbreaking compendium honoring the amazing true stories of fifty inspirational women in STEM who helped fuel some of the greatest achievements in space exploration from the nineteenth century to today--including Hidden Figure's Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson as well as former NASA Chief Astronaut Peggy Whitson, the record-holding American biochemistry researcher who has spent the most cumulative time in space.

When Neil Armstrong stepped off the ladder of the lunar module, Eagle, he famously spoke of "one small step for man." But Armstrong would not have reached the moon without the help of women. Today, females across the earth and above it--astronauts and mathematicians, engineers and physicists, test pilots and aerospace psychophysiologists--are pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, helping us to understand the universe and our place in it. Galaxy Girls celebrates more than four dozen extraordinary women from around the globe whose contributions have been fundamental to the story of humankind's quest to reach the stars.

From Ada Lovelace in the nineteenth century to the "colored computers" behind the Apollo missions, from the astronauts breaking records on the International Space Station to the scientific pioneers blazing the way to Mars, Galaxy Girls goes boldly where few books have gone before, celebrating this band of heroic sisters and their remarkable and often little known scientific achievements. Written by Libby Jackson, a leading British expert in human space flight, and illustrated with striking artwork from the students of London College of Communication, Galaxy Girls is an essential work of women's history that will fire the imaginations of trailblazers of all ages.

Discover the untold stories of the brilliant minds who reached for the stars--and changed the world.

• Trailblazing Women: Meet fifty brilliant, courageous, and innovative figures--from nineteenth-century pioneers like Ada Lovelace to modern record-breakers like astronaut Peggy Whitson.
• Hidden Figures: Learn more about the heroic "colored computers" behind the Apollo missions, including celebrated mathematicians Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson.
• NASA History: Go behind the scenes of the greatest achievements in space exploration and uncover the often-overlooked contributions that were fundamental to their success.
• Stunning Illustrations: Explore striking, full-color artwork that brings the stories of these scientific pioneers to life, created by the students of London College of Communication.

From the Back Cover

Galaxy Girls tells the amazing true stories of fifty remarkable women who conquered the impossible and forever changed the world of space exploration.

Since the very beginning, women have helped fuel some of the greatest achievements in space. From astronauts to scientists, lawyers to teachers, these extraordinary women reached for the stars and taught us the sky is not the limit. Filled with stories that celebrate women from the nineteenth century to today--including Mary Jackson, NASA's first black female engineer, and former NASA Chief Astronaut Peggy Whitson, the record-holding American biochemistry researcher who has spent the most cumulative time in space--Galaxy Girls is an inspiring and informative look at the mark women have left on the space race.

Written by Libby Jackson, a leading expert in human spaceflight, and illustrated with bold and beautiful artwork from the students of the London College of Communication, this empowering book will delight and inspire trailblazers of all ages.