Humans have looked up to the stars since the beginning of time—there's something primordially fascinating about the cosmos that inspires our curiosity like almost nothing else. But of the more than seven billion people on this planet—plus those who have come before us—it’s a small group who can say they have left Earth and come back to tell the tale. These are the stories of those extraordinary few.
Whether you’re fascinated by the science and drama of space travel, or curious about how these pioneering cosmonauts handle the isolation that comes with the job, astronauts' stories bring one of the world’s most fascinating professions to life. From personal memoirs to history and nonfiction documenting tales of the space race, these stellar accounts help us earthlings feel just a little more connected to the great void and the stars beyond.
Astronauts Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton, both of whom flew to the moon, share the riveting inside story of NASA's Space Program during the 1960s and 1970s.
Mike Massimino's dreams of space began in childhood. In this listen, he shares the realization of that dream, from the wonders of spacewalks to working on the Hubble Telescope.
This is the remarkable story of John C. Houbolt, the junior NASA engineer who ideated the two-spacecraft Lunar Orbit Rendezvous that made the Apollo program a success.
Kelly has spent more consecutive days in space than any other American. Here, he shares the terrors, delights, and surprises of a year aboard the International Space Station.
Astronaut Chris Hadfield shares what over 4,000 hours in space have taught him about problem-solving, success, innovation, and staying open to wonder.
Narrator Ray Porter lends his voice to this riveting look into the lives of the astronauts who flew NASA's first manned mission to the moon: Apollo 8.
In flight director Gene Kranz's remarkable story of three decades in NASA's mission control, behind-the-scenes tales from iconic missions come to vivid life.
Throughout his life as an explorer and astronaut, Scott Parazynski chased every adventure he could find, from spacewalks to summiting Mt. Everest.
This thoughtful portrait of two of the world's most famous astronauts—the first two people to walk on the moon—is a worthy addition to any NASA fanatic's library.
This compelling look at the lives of the Black women mathematicians who worked at NASA from World War II through the 1970s is a pure revelation.
An intimate and beautiful memoir from Michael Collins, the astronaut who flew the command module around the moon during Apollo 11.
This comprehensive and nuanced biography of Neil Armstrong is a must-listen for all space aficionados, inspiring a major film of the same name.
In this candid memoir, Aldrin opens up not only about his time in space on Apollo 11 but also about the challenges he faced and overcame back on Earth.
Mike Mullane's memoir about his experience as part of the first group of space shuttle astronauts in 1978 is moving, insightful, and often hilarious.
This nonfic tale of the rivalry between Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and other billionaires as they pour their resources into revitalizing the space program for profit is thrilling.
In this inspiring memoir, astronaut Leland Melvin recounts his extraordinary time in the sky and celebrates the people who helped him get there.
This peculiar tale follows one of the young rocket scientists who founded the Jet Propulsion Lab—all while immersed in the occult.
Jay Barbree, a lifelong friend of Neil Armstrong, shares personal and professional stories of the astronaut's life in this intimate biography.
What happens when you sneeze in space? Tim Peake answers that question and more in this equally silly, serious memoir.
Hear the long-awaited memoir from Donn Eisele, who piloted Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission, and never flew again.
During the Mercury program, the wives of the NASA astronauts banded together for comfort and camaraderie, remaining friends for over 50 years.
Clayton C. Anderson details his life, from a childhood in small-town Nebraska to his long NASA career, during which he spent 167 days on the ISS.
In this bio, Sally Ride—the first American woman in space—comes alive as the brilliant, determined woman who inspired millions of girls to dream big.
This listen is a fascinating portrait of the life of the elusive, enigmatic man who ran the Johnson Space Center, wielding power over much of NASA for 37 years.
Much has been written about getting astronauts into space, but what about bringing them home? A former NASA engineer shares the stories of the scientists and engineers who brought dozens of astronauts back to Earth.
In this moving, heartbreaking, and inspiring memoir of hope and faith, Evelyn Husband—the widow of Rick Husband, the commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia—shares her husband's remarkable life story.
In this riveting history of the Challenger disaster, bestselling author Adam Higginbotham takes listeners through each fateful minute of the day in 1986 when the Challenger exploded, killing all seven people on board.
Nicole Stott's first view of Earth from space inspired a profound revelation about her responsibility to fight for and protect Earth and its people. Here she shares the wisdom of that revelation, offering insights into what all of us can do to care for our home planet.
Eileen Collins was the first American woman to command a space flight, and the person NASA entrusted after disaster. She shares her story with humor and insight.
Ben Rich shares a behind-the-scenes look at Lockheed's Skunk Works, the program that created some of the 20th century's most incredible air and spacecraft.
Based on thorough research and interviews, this is a comprehensive portrait of the women mathematicians who did the equations that launched the space program.
Fred Haise, the Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 13, recounts the terrifying challenges he faced on that historic flight and his many remarkable achievements in his long NASA career.
This is the definitive account of the entire Apollo program and all its missions, compiled from interviews with 23 of the 24 Apollo astronauts.
In this memoir, Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson shares the inside story of his years designing aircraft for Lockheed's Skunk Works program.
This is the story of 13 women who tried to become astronauts during the Mercury program—and were unfairly barred due to sexism and prejudice.
This work of nonfiction captures the tension and drama of the new space race, as billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos race each other to the skies.
The six women who comprised NASA's first-ever class of women astronauts in 1978 are painted with tremendous depth, curiosity, and passion in this listen.
In this equally thoughtful and action-packed memoir, Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell recounts the days he spent aboard one of NASA's most famous missions.
Tom Wolfe's 1979 epic following the first American men to venture into space is a classic for a reason—and a must-listen for all space nerds.
What is life in space really like? Science writer Mary Roach sets out to tackle that mystery in this hilarious, constantly surprising exploration of the cosmos.
In this warm and candid memoir, former NASA astronaut Cady Coleman shares the lessons she's learned about success and determination during her career as an astronaut, scientist, and pilot.
In 1992, as part of the crew of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, Mae Jemison became the first Black woman to go to space. This engaging biography offers a thoughtful glimpse into her extraordinary life.
In this beautiful and awe-inspiring history of humans in space, Tim Peake illuminates the challenges, successes, and surprises of spaceflight through the stories of the 628 people who have left Earth.
Homing in on the profiles of 10 pioneering African American space workers, Richard Paul and Steven Moss examine the role NASA played in the concurrent civil rights movement and beyond.
Egyptian American astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance dreamed of the stars since she was a little girl. In this poignant memoir, she shares the long journey she took to fulfill her dream of studying them.
Astronaut Ron Garan's life was forever changed after he spent time on the International Space Station. With compassion and clarity, he shares what looking at Earth from space taught him about caring for the planet we all live on.
Katherine Johnson was one of NASA's "human computers"—the women who helped the space program to succeed with their mathematical prowess. Now, for the first time, she shares her own story.
Did the Apollo program fundamentally change America? Was it worth it, and why? These are among the many probing questions space historian Roger D. Launius explores in this compelling work of nonfiction.
This is the fascinating, untold story of the rivalry between Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb—pilots who both dreamed of becoming the first American woman in space.
Imagine the strangest space mission you can, make it three times weirder, and you'll have a sense of the bizarre missions science writer Rod Pyle recounts in this fascinating book.
NASA is now synonymous with spaceflight in the US. But that wasn't always the case. This is the little-known history of America's space program in the years preceding NASA.
Space archaeologist Alice Gorman has devoted her career to studying the artifacts of space travel, revealing what they have to teach us about the cosmos and human nature.
