"The feeling in space flight is like hanging by your heels...with all the blood rushing to your head. ...You feel as though you are at the top of a roller coaster when your stomach feels like it is going to lift off." - Dr. Roberta Bondar. This book will be especially fascinating for all readers interested in: biography or space exploration. From the age of eight, Roberta Bondar knew she wanted to be an astronaut. In January 1992 she made Canadian history when she became the first Canadian woman, and first neurologist, to go into space on board Discovery. The story of her journey to become a leading astronaut is a fascinating tale of dedication, commitment, and sheer guts.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1: Starstruck Child
Chapter 2: Stepping Stones to Space
Chapter 3: The Biggest Competition of Her Life
Chapter 4: The First to Fly
Chapter 5: Disaster!
Chapter 6: Astronauts in Training
Chapter 7: Liftoft!
Chapter 8: Working on the Edge
Chapter 9: Living on the Edge
Chapter 10: Coming Down
Epilogue: Life on Earth
Appendix 1: Crew of STS-42
Appendix 2: Timeline
Appendix 3: Canada's Select Six
Bibliography
Joan Dixon writes from the foothills of the Rockies, where she also hikes, skis, and plays all kinds of sports with her family and friends. Her master's degree in Canadian Studies (with a specialization in sport history) and her time at the National Sport and Recreation Centre in Ottawa have helped shape her understanding of sport in Canadian life, while stories of Canada and amazing Canadians have always inspired her research and writing projects. Her most recent book is Made for Canada: the story of Avro's Arrow.
