May - "The Six" by Loren Grush - Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles

"All the Broken Places" by John Boyne

The Six by Loren Grush
Call Number: 629.45 Grush
When NASA sent astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and 1970s the agency excluded women from the corps, arguing that only military test pilots--a group then made up exclusively of men--had the right stuff. It was an era in which women were steered away from jobs in science and deemed unqualified for space flight. Eventually, though, NASA recognized its blunder and opened the application process to a wider array of hopefuls, regardless of race or gender. From a candidate pool of 8,000 six elite women were selected in 1978--Sally Ride, Judy Resnik, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Shannon Lucid, and Rhea Seddon. In The Six , acclaimed journalist Loren Grush shows these brilliant and courageous women enduring claustrophobic--and sometimes deeply sexist--media attention, undergoing rigorous survival training, and preparing for years to take multi-million-dollar payloads into orbit. Together, the Six helped build the tools that made the space program run. One of the group, Judy Resnik, sacrificed her life when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded at 46,000 feet. Everyone knows of Sally Ride's history-making first space ride, but each of the Six would make their mark.

What are the main themes explored in "The Six"? How are these themes relevant to contemporary society and space exploration?
Discuss the significance of diversity among the astronauts selected for the Artemis program. How does the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives contribute to the success of the mission?
The book portrays the rigorous training and preparation required for space missions. How does this aspect of the story highlight the dedication and resilience of astronauts? What challenges do you think astronauts face during their training, and how might these challenges compare to those faced during the actual mission?
Explore the portrayal of gender dynamics and stereotypes within the space industry as depicted in the book. How do the female astronauts in "The Six" navigate these dynamics, and what obstacles do they encounter?
Consider the psychological aspects of long-duration space missions depicted in the book. How do the characters cope with isolation, confinement, and the psychological pressures of space travel? What strategies do they employ to maintain their mental well-being?
Discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by astronauts in "The Six." Are there any moments in the story where the characters must make difficult decisions with ethical implications? How do they navigate these challenges?
Reflect on the portrayal of teamwork and collaboration among the astronauts. How do the characters overcome personal differences and work together towards a common goal? What lessons can be learned from their experiences in terms of teamwork and leadership?
Consider the role of technology and innovation in space exploration, as depicted in the book. How do advancements in technology shape the capabilities and possibilities of future space missions? What are some potential ethical considerations associated with the use of technology in space exploration?
Discuss the significance of the Artemis program and NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon. What are the potential benefits of lunar exploration, both scientifically and culturally? Are there any risks or challenges associated with this endeavor?
Reflect on the ending of the book and the journey of the characters throughout the story. What are some key takeaways or messages conveyed by "The Six"? How does the story inspire readers to think about the future of space exploration and humanity's place in the cosmos?

2017:

NASA announces the Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon by 2024, including the first woman and the next man.

2019:

March: Vice President Mike Pence directs NASA to accelerate its lunar exploration plans, aiming for a crewed landing by 2024, four years earlier than the previous plan.
May: NASA unveils the Artemis program's lunar exploration plan, including the Artemis Accords, which are intended to establish international cooperation and guidelines for lunar exploration.

2020:

April: NASA selects SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Dynetics to develop human landing systems (HLS) for the Artemis program.
September: NASA announces that SpaceX's Starship vehicle will be the sole provider for the Artemis HLS.

2021:

August: NASA awards a contract to SpaceX for the development of the Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis program.
November: Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, is planned for launch. This mission will orbit the Moon and return to Earth.

2022:

January: The Artemis I mission is scheduled to launch, marking the first flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft as part of the Artemis program. This mission will test the capabilities of the SLS and Orion for future crewed missions.
Throughout the year: NASA continues preparations for subsequent Artemis missions, including Artemis II (crewed test flight around the Moon) and Artemis III (the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo).

Beyond January 2022, the Artemis program would continue with plans for crewed missions to the Moon's surface, establishing sustainable lunar exploration, and paving the way for future crewed missions to Mars. However, specific developments and milestones beyond this point would require updating beyond my last training data.

Loren Grush was born in the United States, and she developed a passion for science and space from an early age. She attended school, focusing on journalism and communications, and later pursued her interest in science journalism.

Grush's career in science journalism began to flourish when she started writing for various publications, covering a wide range of topics related to space exploration, astronomy, and technology. She demonstrated a knack for translating complex scientific concepts into engaging stories that could captivate both experts and general audiences.

One of Grush's notable roles was as a science reporter at The Verge, where she contributed articles and videos covering space-related news, missions, and discoveries. Her work at The Verge gained her recognition for her insightful reporting and clear explanations of complex scientific topics.

Grush has also made appearances on television and in documentaries, providing expert commentary on space-related topics for outlets such as NBC, MSNBC, and National Geographic.

Throughout her career, Grush has interviewed prominent figures in the space industry, including astronauts, engineers, and scientists. Her reporting has covered significant events such as spacecraft launches, planetary exploration missions, and advancements in space technology.

Grush's dedication to accurate and engaging science journalism has earned her a strong following and respect within the space community. She continues to be an influential voice in the field, inspiring others with her passion for space exploration and her commitment to communicating science to the public.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Call Number: 510.92 Lee Shetterly
Before John Glenn orbited the earth or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as "human computers" used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation. Originally relegated to teaching math in the South's segregated public schools, they were called into service during the labor shortages of World War II, when America's aeronautics industry was in dire need of anyone who had the right stuff. Suddenly, these overlooked math whizzes had a shot at jobs worthy of their skills, and they answered Uncle Sam's call, moving to Hampton, Virginia, and the fascinating, high-energy world of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Even as Virginia's Jim Crow laws required them to be segregated from their white counterparts, the women of Langley's all-black "West Computing" group helped America achieve one of the things it desired most: a decisive victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War, and complete domination of the heavens.

*audiobook & e-book on hoopla
*audiobook & e-book on Libby
Fighting for Space by Amy Shira Teitel
Call Number: 629.13 Teitel
Spaceflight historian Amy Shira Teitel tells the riveting story of the female pilots who each dreamed of being the first American woman in space. When the space age dawned in the late 1950s, Jackie Cochran held more propeller and jet flying records than any pilot of the twentieth century--man or woman. She had led the Women's Auxiliary Service Pilots during the Second World War, was the first woman to break the sound barrier, ran her own luxury cosmetics company, and counted multiple presidents among her personal friends. She was more qualified than any woman in the world to make the leap from atmosphere to orbit. Yet it was Jerrie Cobb, twenty-five years Jackie's junior and a record-holding pilot in her own right, who finagled her way into taking the same medical tests as the Mercury astronauts. The prospect of flying in space quickly became her obsession. While the American and international media spun the shocking story of a "woman astronaut" program, Jackie and Jerrie struggled to gain control of the narrative, each hoping to turn the rumored program into their own ideal reality--an issue that ultimately went all the way to Congress. This dual biography of audacious trailblazers Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb presents these fascinating and fearless women in all their glory and grit, using their stories as guides through the shifting social, political, and technical landscape of the time.
The Mercury 13 by Martha Ackmann; Lynn Sherr (Foreword by)
Call Number: 629.45 Ackmann
Profiles the thirteen women, all pilots who passed the same battery of tests as the Mercury 7 astronauts, who were chosen as America's first female astronauts but who were refused the opportunity to participate.
The New Guys by Meredith Bagby
Call Number: 629.45 Bagby
The never-before-told story of NASA's 1978 astronaut class, which included the first American women, the first African Americans, the first Asian American, and the first gay person to fly to space. With the exclusive participation of the astronauts who were there, this is the thrilling, behind-the-scenes saga of a new generation that transformed space exploration.
Almost Heaven by Bettyann Holtzmann Kevles
Call Number: 629.45 Kevles
When we first blasted our way into space a generation ago, we did so with men from each of the superpowers. Women were excluded from one of the most exciting adventures of the century-and not because they weren't up to the challenge. In 1962, three accomplished female pilots took their case before the U.S. Congress, but they were dismissed as unpatriotic. We were in a Cold War-a space race-and NASA had already chosen the Mercury Seven to represent America. In Almost Heaven , acclaimed writer Bettyann Kevles gives voice to the women of the space age-women who had the "right stuff," but had to struggle to prove it. Through intensive interviews and meticulous research, Kevles illuminates what makes these women tick. What were their unique concerns as female astronauts? Were they truly accepted into the astronaut corps, or were they merely "tokens"? She also poses a question that will affect generations to come: Is NASA preparing women as well as men for travel beyond Earth's orbit, or is the research still biased toward men?The stories of these forty women, told here for the first time in rich and colorful detail, explore the convergence of culture and science-and suggest the battle is far from over.

Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: May - "The Six" by Loren Grush

"All the Broken Places" by John Boyne

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