The Payload Blog

Five Books Every Space Enthusiast's Library Needs

Books have the ability to transport readers beyond their pages – and not many books can transport you to space! Below are some of our favorite books to take you into the history and the adventure of space exploration.

The NASA Archives. 60 Years of Space

By Piers Bizony, with essays by Andrew Chaikin and Dr. Roger Launius

This collection of over 400 historic photographs and concept renderings is perfect for readers who want to explore the past 60 years of NASA history by diving into the archives. Dive deeper with texts by science and technology journalist Piers Bizony, NASA chief historian Roger Launius and Apollo historian Andrew Chaikin. This comprehensive pictorial history of the U.S. space program is a testament of the amazing adventure of space exploration.

Available for purchase in store at The Space Shop at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Falling to Earth: An Apollo 15 Astronaut’s Journey to the Moon

By Al Worden with Francis French

While every reader enjoys a moment alone, Al Worden was the most isolated man in existence during the Apollo 15 mission where he spent three days completely alone as he orbited the Moon. Hear more from this American hero who also conducted the first spacewalk in deep space and was a crewmember on the pioneering Apollo 9 and 12 missions.

Moonfire: The Epic Journey of Apollo 11

By Norman Mailer

The word “epic” does not quite do justice to one of the most pivotal moments of the 20^st century that placed the first boot print on another celestial body. Travel back in time and to space with Moonfire, which uses hundreds of photographs from NASA vaults, the archives of LIFE and other leading magazines to document the experiences of the Apollo 11 crew and the world’s reaction to the Moon landing. The text references Apollo 11 experts, postflight astronaut interviews and the mission log to tell the story of the Moon landing.

Available for purchase in store at The Space Shop at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut

By Clayton C. Anderson

The Ordinary Spaceman puts you in the flight suit of U.S. astronaut Clayton C. Anderson. It takes you on the journey of this small-town boy from Nebraska who spent 167 days living and working on the International Space Station, including more than forty hours of spacewalks. Having applied to NASA 15 different times over 15 years before his ultimate selection, Anderson offers a unique perspective. His life as a veteran space flier is characterized by humility and perseverance.

How Do You Burp in Space? And Other Tips Every Space Tourist Needs to Know

By Susan E. Goodman and Illustrated by Michael Slack

Want to blast into orbit? Walk on the Moon? Snag a personal photo of a shooting star? Well, your time is coming! And when it does, you're going to need How Do You Burp in Space?, a guide filled with the kind of information you'd need to plan any vacation. Including what to pack (hint: no bubble bath or juggling balls), what to expect from your accommodations (a sleeping bag attached to the wall) and what to do for fun (leapfrog on the Moon). Grounded in the history of space travel and the planned future of space tourism, this guide book is a true page-turner for the aspiring space tourist.

Looking for more than these five books? See more NASA and space related stories at TheSpaceShop.com.