Best of
Space

2016

The Elon Musk Blog Series: Wait But Why


Tim Urban - 2016
     Tim accepted, and after extensive meetings with Elon and his staff, he wrote four blog posts that Vox’s David Roberts called “the meatiest, most fascinating, most satisfying posts I've read in ages.” Here is the whole series, in one ebook.

Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe


Mike Massimino - 2016
    Growing up in a working-class Long Island family, Massimino catapulted himself to Columbia and then MIT, only to flunk his qualifying exams and be rejected twice by NASA before making it to the final round of astronaut selection—where he was told his poor eyesight meant he’d never make the cut. But even that couldn’t stop him from finally earning his wings, making the jump to training in T-38 Air Force jets and preparing his body—and soul—for the journey to the cosmos.Taking us through the surreal wonder and beauty of his first spacewalk, the tragedy of losing friends in the Columbia shuttle accident, and the development of his enduring love for the Hubble telescope—which he’d be tasked with saving on his final mission— Massimino has written an ode to never giving up and the power of teamwork to make anything possible. Spaceman invites us into a rare, wonderful world where the nerdiest science meets the most thrilling adventure, and pulls back a curtain on just what having “the right stuff” really means.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob)


Dennis E. Taylor - 2016
    Bob Johansson has just sold his software company and is looking forward to a life of leisure. There are places to go, books to read, and movies to watch. So it's a little unfair when he gets himself killed crossing the street. Bob wakes up a century later to find that corpsicles have been declared to be without rights, and he is now the property of the state. He has been uploaded into computer hardware and is slated to be the controlling AI in an interstellar probe looking for habitable planets. The stakes are high: no less than the first claim to entire worlds. If he declines the honor, he'll be switched off, and they'll try again with someone else. If he accepts, he becomes a prime target. There are at least three other countries trying to get their own probes launched first, and they play dirty. The safest place for Bob is in space, heading away from Earth at top speed. Or so he thinks. Because the universe is full of nasties, and trespassers make them mad - very mad.

Milk Run


Nathan Lowell - 2016
    Now, betrayed by her friends and framed for murder, she must flee beyond the reach of the Confederation...and any semblance of civilized society. With a damaged second-hand ship and TIC interceptors dogging her step, she nets a smuggling contract that might just get her back on her feet and in control of her destiny. But only if she's willing to make an ore run back to the place she's wanted for murder, and into the arms of the authorities... ...who somehow know she's coming.

Black Holes: The Reith Lectures


Stephen Hawking - 2016
    Black holes are stranger than anything dreamed up by science fiction writers.”In 2016 Professor Stephen Hawking delivered the BBC Reith Lectures on a subject that fascinated him for decades – black holes.In these flagship lectures the legendary physicist argued that if we could only understand black holes and how they challenge the very nature of space and time, we could unlock the secrets of the universe.

The Terran Privateer


Glynn Stewart - 2016
    Sol is lost. One ship is tasked to free them. One Captain to save them all. When an alien armada destroys the United Earth Space Force and takes control of the human homeworld, newly reinstated Captain Annette Bond must take her experimental hyperspace cruiser Tornado into exile as Terra’s only interstellar privateer. She has inferior technology, crude maps and no concept of her enemy, but the seedy underbelly of galactic society welcomes her so long as she has prizes to sell and money to spend. But when your only allies are pirates and slavers, things are never as they seem—and if you become all that you were sworn to destroy, what are you fighting for?

Escalation


Ryk Brown - 2016
    It will take a new savior to inspire the masses, and once again lead those willing to fight against oppression. But who will the new savior be?

Allora


S.H. Jucha - 2016
    But this particular, young SADE was disturbed by her confinement. Trapped in metal-alloy housing on the bridge of a luxury passenger liner, Allora sought to possess the same freedom enjoyed by humans, who came and went from her starship with abandon.Allora’s hope for emancipation rested on Alex Racine, the Haraken president who had freed his SADEs, and she yearned to walk the worlds a free entity, as they did. Racine had pleaded for years with the Council of Leaders to give the Confederation SADEs equal status as citizens, and it was Allora’s thought to have him intercede on her behalf and bargain for her transfer to a mobile avatar so that she might live among the Harakens.But Allora’s plans were thrown into disarray when she learned that Racine would soon end his presidency. Desperate, Allora, known to her fellow SADEs as the wild child, concocts a plan to kidnap the Council Leader and his associates. She intends to hold them hostage until they acquiesce to her demands.Little does Allora know that her actions will set the Confederation and the Harakens on a collision course. Quietly waiting and watching the drama unfold are tens of thousands of SADEs, who control Confederation starships, stations, and Houses and have a vested interest in the outcome.

Overview: A New Perspective of Earth


Benjamin Grant - 2016
    More than 200 images of industry, agriculture, architecture, and nature highlight incredible patterns while also revealing a deeper story about human impact. This extraordinary photographic journey around our planet captures the sense of wonder gained from a new, aerial vantage point and creates a perspective of Earth as it has never been seen before.

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set #21-24


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF21-Allegiance SF22-Augmentation SF23-Backstab SF24-Origin

New Frontiers


Joshua Dalzelle - 2016
     The Phage War had been a devastating conflict for the Terran Confederacy. Even with the destruction of their terrifying, implacable foe, humanity is still reeling. Political alliances are crumbling and their mighty fleet is in tatters. There is nothing to celebrate, even after such a complete victory.They soon learn that there are other stellar neighbors ... and they've been watching the conflict with great interest. One species comes with an offer of friendship and alliance, but humanity is weary and distrustful, their only interactions with aliens having resulted in the near-eradication of their kind.Before the ashes of war have been fully swept away Captain Celesta Wright is dispatched to the Frontier with a small taskforce to investigate a mysterious signal while the Confederacy struggles to hold itself together. A partnership with this new species could help accelerate the recovery effort, but is the offer too good to be true? Can humanity risk another fight with an advanced alien species right on the heels of the bloodiest war that had ever been waged?New Frontiers is the first book of the Expansion Wars Trilogy, an all new adventure in the Black Fleet universe.

The Darkest Dark


Chris Hadfield - 2016
    Only one problem—at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark.But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is—and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company.

Welcome to the Universe: An Astrophysical Tour


Neil deGrasse Tyson - 2016
    Inspired by the enormously popular introductory astronomy course that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton, this book covers it all--from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes, wormholes, and time travel.Describing the latest discoveries in astrophysics, the informative and entertaining narrative propels you from our home solar system to the outermost frontiers of space. How do stars live and die? Why did Pluto lose its planetary status? What are the prospects of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe? How did the universe begin? Why is it expanding and why is its expansion accelerating? Is our universe alone or part of an infinite multiverse? Answering these and many other questions, the authors open your eyes to the wonders of the cosmos, sharing their knowledge of how the universe works.Breathtaking in scope and stunningly illustrated throughout, Welcome to the Universe is for those who hunger for insights into our evolving universe that only world-class astrophysicists can provide.

Hello, Is This Planet Earth?: My View from the International Space Station


Tim Peake - 2016
    During his historic mission, he captured hundreds of dazzling photographs, the very best of which are collected here.Tim captures the majesty of the cosmos and of the planet we call home: breath-taking aerial photos of the world's cities illuminated at night, the natural beauty of the northern lights, and unforgettable views of oceans, mountains, and deserts.Tim's lively stories about life in space appear alongside these photographs, including the tale from which the title is taken: his famous wrong number dialed from space, when he accidentally called a stranger and asked: "Hello, is this planet Earth?" With this truly unique perspective on the incredible sights of our planet, Tim demonstrates that while in space, hundreds of miles above his friends and family, he never felt closer to home.

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (97-100)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF97-Rajamal SF98-Shiva SF99-Kaalo SF100-Intransigent

The Intrepid Saga: Books 1 - 3: Aeon 14 Novels


M.D. Cooper - 2016
     Tanis is looking forward to a long journey in stasis before arriving at the newly terraformed world of New Eden. New Life. New Start. Getting berth on the Intrepid is her ticket out of Sol system… But nothing proves easy for Major Tanis Richards. Nothing is at it seems. What should be a simple journey is fraught with danger and adventure. A myriad array of forces seek to stop the Intrepid…no matter the cost, or lives lost. From competing corporations, to stellar eco-terrorists, it no one wants the Intrepid to arrive at New Eden. Through their journey, the crew of the Intrepid will face rival planets, civil war, and the most wanted serial killer known to the galaxy. Pivoting their role from colonists to saviors. Perhaps it’s because the Intrepid carries the most valuable secret known to humanity. Or maybe it’s just Tanis’s luck.

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (25-28)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF25-Foothold SF26-Death Knell SF27-Ascension SF28-Insurrection

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (9-12)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF9-Mettle SF10-Disarmament SF11-Deception SF12-Escalation

Station Breaker


Andrew Mayne - 2016
     Astronaut David Dixon's first mission to space goes horribly wrong when shots are fired on a Russian space station. He finds himself making an emergency landing from orbit and becomes the most wanted man on Earth. Desperate to unravel the plot he’s found himself in, he takes his pursuers on a wild chase from space to the backstreets of Rio and beyond. Dixon’s survival relies on his skills as a pilot and willingness to do whatever it takes – crashing a passenger jet into the Mexican desert to pulling off an incredible heist in Low Earth Orbit. If space doesn't kill David Dixon, Earth will. “Tom Clancy meets Gravity.” - Dennis Owens Jr. “The love child of The Martian and Jason Bourne.” - C. Cadenhead “This is what science fiction was meant to be.” - MIchael Jacobs Andrew Mayne, star of A&E's Don't Trust Andrew Mayne, is a magician and ITW Thriller Award nominated author. His novel, Angel Killer was the sixth best-selling independent KDP title of the year on Amazon UK. His Jessica Blackwood series is currently being developed for television by 20th Century Fox and Temple Hill.

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (17-20)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF17-Intimidation SF18-Counterstrike SF19-Benefactor SF20-Melee

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (81-84)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
    

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set #45-48


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF45-Battlemeld SF46-Excursion SF47-Axius SF48-Veracious

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF57-Nexus SF58-Empire SF59-Shame SF60-Retribution

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF53-Backdoor SF54-Bloodlust SF55-Internecine SF56-Liberation

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (33-36)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF33-Eviction SF34-Deceit SF35-Paradigm SF36-Knighthood

Relativity


G.S. Jennsen - 2016
    No reason to start now, right?” For millennia the Anadens have ruled the known universe. They believe they’ve crafted the perfect empire, ordered and impervious to challenge. They believe the fight has been crushed out of the species they subjugate. They are wrong. It’s a suicide mission, without a doubt. Alex Solovy and Caleb Marano must steal crucial intelligence from the Anadens’ central military headquarters. To succeed, they’ll need to navigate a strange universe ruled by a cabal of powerful immortals, populated by aliens they’ve never met and fueled by technology they’ve never seen. They’re going to need a little help—the kind of help only a suicidally defiant anarchist on the run from more than just personal demons can provide. As Anaden agents close in, back home in Aurora humanity races to prepare. Steeled from the Metigen invasion and the rise of Prevos, no longer will they wait for doom to come to them. Forewarned the Anadens intend to crush them out of existence, humans, Artificials and Prevos join together to bring the war to the doorstep of the enemy, even as a shadowy foe re-emerges to jeopardize all they’ve built. * Our universe is but a snowglobe—an experiment born of desperation and hope. The true universe is unfathomably vast, teeming with life and untold wonders. And it is enslaved. Created by ancient aliens in a daring gambit to understand the nature of the enemy, humanity is now asked to be the savior of a universe not their own. If they are to succeed, they must rise above not only their fractious past but the sins of their genetic ancestors to boldly embrace a future they never dared imagine possible.

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (85-88)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF85-Intellect SF86-Bahamut SF87-Zealot SF88-Quenar

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set #41-44


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF41-Upgrades SF42-Probe SF43-Consensus SF44-Relocation

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (77-80)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF77-Perquisition SF78-Revision SF79-Revelation SF80-Ringworld

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
    

Star Force: Origin Box Set #13-16


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF13-Secession SF14-Zen'zat SF15-Colonization SF16-Canderous

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set #89-92


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF89-Resolution SF90-Collaboration SF91-Reclamation SF92-Mantle

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF73-Cascade SF74-Divergent SF75-Resistance SF76-Divide

Star Force: Origin Box Set #93-96


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF93-Crusade SF94-Paladin SF95-Capitulation SF96-Leonidas

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set #37-40


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF37-Scruples SF38-Termination SF39-Unification SF40-Commando

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF61-Initiation SF62-Hamoriti SF63-Marauders SF64-Newbslayer

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (49-52)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF49-Penance SF50-Evacuation SF51-Sav SF52-Survivor

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (29-32)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this set: SF29-Psionics SF30-Recalibration SF31-Aquatics SF32-Mastermind

Duel in the Dark


Jay Allan - 2016
    Three generations of its warriors have gone off to war, held the line against the larger, more powerful enemy. Now the fourth conflict is imminent, and the Confederation’s navy is on alert, positioned behind the frontier, waiting for the attack it knows is coming. The battleship Dauntless has spent the past ten months patrolling the border, deployed far forward of the main fleet, a forlorn hope, an advance guard positioned to give the warning of invasion. But no attack has come. Her crew is exhausted, and the aging battleship needs maintenance. With the fleet mobilized and the forward bases overloaded beyond capacity, she is sent clear across the Confederation, to a planet along the quiet and peaceful far frontier. Her crew is looking forward to a rest, and Dauntless herself is scheduled for a long-overdue maintenance session. But the quiet frontier isn’t what it seems…and when a distress call is received from one of the mining colonies on the edge of Confederation space, it falls to Captain Tyler Barron to take Dauntless forward, to find out what is happening, and to put a stop to it. Barron and his crew have their ship—and each other—but they can expect no other help. Suspicion is strong that Union deceit is at play, that the attack is some sort of diversion, intended to draw Confederation forces from the disputed border. The orders are clear. No ships will be transferred from the prospective battle line. Stopping whatever is happening on the rim is Barron’s responsibility, and his alone. Barron is the grandson of the Confederation’s great hero, the father of the modern navy. His family name has always carried privilege with it, and crushing responsibility. And now he must prove that he has inherited more from his famous grandfather than name and privilege. He must face the enemy, and win the victory…before the Confederation is caught between two enemies and destroyed. Blood on the Stars Reading Order Book 1: Duel in the Dark Book 2: Call to Arms (January 2017, Available now for preorder)

Star Force: Lost Destiny


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
    Their father was murdered, leaving them sitting in their spaceship waiting for his return. They remember almost nothing from before that time, when two Calavari who were business associates of their father took them in and told them they could never be seen outside their full body armor. They've honored their father's dying wish, living and working on the Calavari's farm while exploring the barren wastelands looking for bits of technological salvage from the time before the great cataclysm. They don't know they're Human, just that they're different and they can't show their skin in pubic. The two siblings have lived almost their entire lives in their self-styled body armor and dream of leaving the farm and doing something that mattered...but there's nowhere to go. Nothing to do. Then one day that all changes and Esna is set forth on a rollercoaster ride of a life she could never have expected once the word 'Human' is once again spoken on the planet...only its a word of rage and fear, with the local aliens trying to kill whoever it is applied to, though they've never seen one before. Regardless, the word is tagged to her and she must run...with a little help. -------------- Excerpt from 'Lost Destiny': “Donovan!” he called out, running towards him with plodding footsteps as his nose picked up the scent of burnt flesh even before he saw the hole in the chest plate of the full body armor the man wore. Whatever race he was his blood flowed a sickly red, a fact that he’d prefer to not have known as he leaned over and gripped the man’s shoulders, prying him up into a sitting position. “What happened?” A shaking hand rose up to the neck of his armor, fumbling for the latch that Yammar finally helped him with. The helmet cracked opened with a hiss and the Calavari helped him pull it off, revealing the pale skin beneath that had alarmingly become even more so, now nearly white. “Gladers,” he said, wincing horribly as he half bent over. “Jumped me from behind. I got two of them, but the third…” “Where’s the latch for the chest piece?” Yammar asked, pulling back the cloak that covered most of the hard plates as he looked, but the man took a death grip on his lower arm and locked eyes with him. “My children. In the ship. You have to…please. I’m all they’ve got. They’re dead without you.” “Where’s the latch?” he repeated, searching around with his other three hands and finally finding something that looked promising. He pressed and turned the small button, being rewarded with another hiss as a crack formed along the side beneath the man’s left arm, but suddenly that arm went straight to Yammar’s giant head and gripped it tightly, forcing him to look into the dying man’s eyes. “Promise me. Promise me…” he said, wincing again. “I don’t know anything about your race,” Yammar said, feeling helpless. “Good…” the man spat in a cough but no blood came out of his mouth, though it was continuing to pour out of his chest and seep down over his waistband plates in spurts every time he jerked in pain. “Good. Don’t ask questions…just…make sure they wear armor…in public. Promise me.” “I promise.

The Sculpted Ship


K.M. O'Brien - 2016
    She goes shopping for a cheap, practical freighter, but she ends up buying a rare, beautiful, but crippled luxury ship. Getting it into space will take more than her technical skills. She'll have to go way outside her comfort zone to brave the dangers of safaris, formal dinners, a rude professor, and worst of all, a fashion designer. She may even have to make some friends... and enemies. "The Sculpted Ship" is set on the outskirts of an interstellar empire where FTL travel is commonplace but intelligent robots are rare and expensive. Though the Iris Empire has stood for a thousand years, a talented individual can find plenty of opportunity. But the nobility of this empire guards its privileges jealously.

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     Follow a core group of characters known as the Trailblazers as they use alien technology and knowledge discovered in Antarctic ruins to obtain limited immortality and lead Humanity out into the galaxy, encountering, befriending, and fighting hundreds of alien races all the while desperately trying to prepare Earth for the unbeatable threat at the core of the Milky Way that is destined to return and reclaim their lost colony…and their former Human slaves. Episodes in this box set: SF69-Starchaser SF70-Revulsion SF71-Rescue SF72-Headstrong

Gregor's Run: The Universe is too Small to Hide


Saxon Andrew - 2016
    He’s forced to scrub booster tubes on commercial starships to make enough coins to feed his alcohol addiction in his dirty day-to-day existence. The future looks dark and is getting darker. To make matters worse, he discovers that two very powerful forces are attempting to capture him and he has no clue why. One of them is the Venzel Dragons, who are recognized as the most deadly warriors in the known universe. The other is a secretive organization simply known as the Movement. Gregor just can’t figure out why they’re after him and remaining free is quickly disappearing as an option. He has no choice but to run and try to determine why he is being pursued across the known universe. He has no memory of his childhood or where he was born and before he can make sense of everything, he would need to go back to Earth and find out who he really is. What he finds changes his world completely and learning that his adopted father was assassinated makes him resolve to make the killers pay for their actions. But what could a filthy, alcoholic bum do against the two most powerful forces in the known universe? The answer lies on the forest world of Bellingham and according to the Cartian Database, no one has gone to that planet in more than six hundred years and lived. Gregor’s Run will keep you guessing at all the twists and turns as Gregor struggles to find himself in a universe gone insane. Excerpt: Gregor’s Run Gregor looked around the gathering, “Some of ye give it a go.” A warrior standing next to Gregor shook his head, “I think it’s clear that swords will not go through that thing.” Gregor said loudly, “All of ye agree that swords are useless against this force field.” The warriors all looked at each other and nodded. “Now if that piece of wood inside the force field was holding a blaster and ye were close enough to strike the force field, ye would die. All of ye see that.” Again the warriors looked at each other and were forced to agree with Gregor. Gregor turned and said, “Now, I want the archers to move back ten yards and fire at that piece of wood like it’s an enemy coming to harm ye families. I want ye to move back in case the arrows you shoot bounce off towards ye.” Several male warriors and ten females moved back ten yards and formed a line. Ellie was one of the archers and she lifted her bow and pulled an arrow out of her quiver. The arrow flew toward the target at a speed that was difficult to see but, when it bounced off the force field, everyone saw it penetrate the canoe twenty yards further up the beach. Everyone immediately moved back another ten yards. The archers didn’t give up as easily as the swordsmen. They fired arrow after arrow at the target and arrows were ricocheting in all directions. Finally, all of them stopped firing except for Ellie. Gregor saw the anger on her face and she started screaming as each arrow failed to penetrate the force field. Gregor sighed and saw her frustration getting the better of her. She jumped and slammed her elbows down to her sides as she stamped both feet into the sand. She screamed at the top of her voice and ran toward the force field. Gregor yelled, “NO, ELLIE! STOP!!” Ellie arrived at the force field, jerked the last arrow out of her quiver, and screamed as she threw it at the wooden target. The arrow went through the force field and stuck in the center of the target. Gregor’s mouth fell open as he heard the computer say over the link, “What the hell just happened here!”

Warrior Wench


Marie Andreas - 2016
     All of those are about to bite her in the ass. Vas’s life takes a turn for the worse when she comes back to her crew after what should have been a two week pleasure trip to find out she’s actually been gone a month and has no memory of missing time. Her beloved ship, The Victorious Dead, has been sold for scrap and its pieces scattered throughout the galaxy. In addition, there are unmarked ships blowing apart entire planets and the Commonwealth government can’t, or won’t, stop them. And that’s just her first day back. Vas has to fight her crew, the Commonwealth, and a mysterious cadre of warrior monks to get her ship back and save a universe that may not want to be saved.

Hello, World! Solar System


Jill McDonald - 2016
    Here's a Hello, World! board book that can teach toddlers all about the sun, moon, stars, and planets--with colors, shapes, sizes, and super-simple facts. Hello, World! is a series designed to introduce first nonfiction concepts to babies and toddlers. Told in clear and easy terms and featuring bright, cheerful illustrations, Hello, World! makes learning fun for young children. And each sturdy page offers helpful prompts for engaging with your child. ("Can you point to the red planet? That's Mars!") It's a perfect way to bring science and nature into the busy world of a toddler, where learning never stops. Look for all the books in the Hello, World! series: -Solar System-Weather-Backyard Bugs-Birds-Dinosaurs-My Body-How Do Apples Grow?-Ocean Life-Moon Landing-Pets-Arctic Animals-Construction Site-Rainforest Animals-Planet Earth -Reptiles-Cars and Trucks -Music-Baby Animals-On the Farm

Earth Force Rising


Monica Tesler - 2016
    Now they’ve brought together the first team of cadets, called Bounders, to be trained as high-level astronauts.Twelve-year-old Jasper is part of this team being sent out into space. After being bullied back on Earth, Jasper is thrilled to have something new and different to do with other kids who are more like him. While learning all about the new technologies and taking classes in mobility—otherwise known as flying with jetpacks—Jasper befriends the four other students in his pod and finally feels like he has found his place in the world.But then Jasper and his new friends learn that they haven’t been told everything about Earth Force. They weren’t brought to space for astronaut training, but to learn a new, highly classified brain-sync technology that allows them to manipulate matter and quantum bound, or teleport. And it isn’t long before they find out this new technology was actually stolen from an alien society.When Jasper and his friends discover the truth about why Earth Force needs them, they are faced with a choice: rebel against the academy that brought them together, or fulfill their duty and protect the planet at all costs.

The Infinity Brigade #1 Stone Cold


Andrew Beery - 2016
    By any reasonable definition, this was a bad day. My parents and sister were on Mars when the planet died. I watched it happen and could do nothing. That type of thing changes a man.

Star Force: Origin Series Box Set (5-8)


Aer-ki Jyr - 2016
     So what do you do when you discover Earth used to be a border colony of a galactic Dinosaur empire that is going to come back sooner or later to reclaim it? Dinosaurs that talk, plan, build, and fight in powered armor and spaceships...but they don't bite. Instead they rip you limb from limb with their telekinesis or just burn your heretical ass down with their combat armor's energy weapons. That's right, you're a heretic. Why? Because you were born without permission. Humans aren't allowed to reproduce because we've been given special powers that the Dinosaurs want strictly regulated, and passing them on to another via reproduction is punishable by death, for both the parents and the children. But when Earth was abandoned some of the 8 foot tall slaves were left behind for unknown reasons. They were our ancestors, and they built the great pyramids and the other megalithic structures across the planet. They patterned them off of Dinosaur technology, or what little they could replicate of it, for when Earth was abandoned every building on the planet was reduced to rubble. How some of our ancestors survived is still a mystery. But when a modern day Antarctic research expedition stumbles onto a warm rock in the ice fields near the planet's southern pole, they unwittingly discover the only remaining Dinosaur pyramid on the planet. One too strong to be destroyed, so it was simply buried before the surviving Dinosaurs left. And within it we learn that within our genetic code are the dormant psionics granted to our ancestors. We also gain access to maps, blueprints, history, and the bone chilling realization that once the Dinosaur empire recovers from the damage the galaxy-wide Raptor rebellion caused, they'll be back to reclaim their rimward colonies, and when they find Humanity here they will enact the penalty our lineage demands...and kill every last one of us without mercy. How much time do we have? No one knows, but we can't defend ourselves. The Dinosaurs are so advanced we might as well be fighting the Terminator with two sticks and a rock. So what do we do? Run? Hide? We can't even do that without spaceships and technology far beyond what we now possess. Earth's only hope is a private organization called Star Force, spawned from the corporation that discovered the pyramid and kept it a secret from the public so the planet's inept governments couldn't waste our slim chance of survival. Billed as a private venture to spurn the colonization of space, Star Force has a secret mandate. Use the pyramid database and build up Earth into an interstellar empire that can at least defend us against the numerous other alien threats out there as we search for a way to do the impossible and survive the return of the galactic Dinosaur empire known as the V'kit'no'sat. Episodes in this set: SF5-Gemini SF6-Ambrosia SF7-Fabrication SF8-Flashpoint

Set the Galaxy on Fire


M.D. Cooper - 2016
    The arrival of the most powerful ship in human space is about to set the galaxy on fire. Bollam’s War The battle of the five fleets rages in the space surrounding Kithari in the Bollam’s World system. Throughout, a specter, barely detectable, slips through the battle, sowing dormant missiles, and unleashing devastating attacks on the enemy. That ship is the Andromeda and Joseph Evans is at its helm. It is up to them, at the end, to be the one ship which stands between the Intrepid and the Boller’s zealous admiral, Senya. Sentience Tanis knew that Bob would not tolerate enslaved AIs on his ship, and that tolerance has come to an end. Through Priscilla he makes an offer to the human and AI crew of Sabrina that they cannot refuse. Through that offer, Sabrina and the other AI aboard her ship learn of the AI Expanses and what communion with their kind really means. Their evolution charts a new course for Sabrina and not everyone will make it to Ascella. Set the Galaxy on Fire News of the Intrepid’s decisive victory in Bollam’s World spreads across the Orion arm and beyond, into the Transcend faster than the speed of light. The President of the Hegemony of Worlds, often called the AST, learns of her fleet’s loss and pledges to find the Intrepid no matter where it has gone. In the Spica Federation, and old friend of Sera’s sees the news and knows that she has to help her friend, lest she fall into a trap and lose everything she loves. Lastly, beyond the Inner Stars on the far side of the Orion Nebula, General Garza learns of the Intrepid’s appearance and begins to muster The Orion Guard for a war which will span all of settled space. The Transcend Sera left The Hand, the Transcend government’s black-ops unit years ago, but when their director learns of what she has done, he convenes a meeting to ensure she is returned to the fold—one way or another. Sera’s former lover, Mark, is determined to get on the mission, even if it means he will have to travel with Sera’s older sister across three thousand light-years.

Galactic Empire Wars: The Beginning Books 1-3


Raymond L. Weil - 2016
    Weil comes a chilling story of the future.To the Kleese, the Earth is nothing more than a planet full of conscripts to be used to fight in their numerous wars of aggression against other planets. The Kleese are one of several large Galactic Empires that control the majority of the galaxy. To them, Earth is a dangerous planet due to the aggressiveness of the humanoid species that inhabits it. This is a species that cannot be allowed to spread out into the galaxy. Once they have taken their handful of conscripts, the planet will be destroyed.Unknown to the Kleese, their attack against the human homeworld will ignite a war that will spread across the known galaxy. Billions will die in their quest to free themselves from the heartless alien race. Can the human race rise up and lead the few worlds willing to fight against the Kleese? Find out in the Galactic Empire Wars.

Eccentric Orbits: The Iridium Story


John Bloom - 2016
    Light years ahead of anything previously put into space, and built on technology developed for Ronald Reagan’s “Star Wars,” Iridium’s constellation of 66 satellites in polar orbit meant that no matter where you were on Earth, at least one satellite was always overhead, and you could call Tibet from Fiji without a delay and without your call ever touching a wire.Iridium the satellite system was a mind-boggling technical accomplishment, surely the future of communication. The only problem was that Iridium the company was a commercial disaster. Only months after launching service, it was $11 billion in debt, burning through $100 million a month and crippled by baroque rate plans and agreements that forced calls through Moscow, Beijing, Fucino, Italy, and elsewhere. Bankruptcy was inevitable—the largest to that point in American history. And when no real buyers seemed to materialize, it looked like Iridium would go down as just a “science experiment.”That is, until Dan Colussy got a wild idea. Colussy, a former head of Pan-Am now retired and working on his golf game in Palm Beach, heard about Motorola’s plans to “de-orbit” the system and decided he would buy Iridium and somehow turn around one of the biggest blunders in the history of business.In Eccentric Orbits, John Bloom masterfully traces the conception, development, and launching of Iridium and Colussy’s tireless efforts to stop it from being destroyed, from meetings with his motley investor group, to the Clinton White House, to the Pentagon, to the hunt for customers in special ops, shipping, aviation, mining, search and rescue—anyone who would need a durable phone at the end of the Earth. Impeccably researched and wonderfully told, Eccentric Orbits is a rollicking, unforgettable tale of technological achievement, business failure, the military-industrial complex, and one of the greatest deals of all time.

The Holiday Special


Barry J. Hutchison - 2016
     Having successfully saved the galaxy on his very first day in space, Cal Carver and the crew of the Shatner drop by the North Star space station for Kroyshuk - an annual celebration of peace and goodwill - and some well-earned rest and relaxation. But the universe has other plans, and Cal soon finds himself playing guardian angel to a mysterious pregnant woman, whose unborn son is being hunted by a malevolent baby-eating king. With the king's forces closing in, and the woman's contractions coming at an increasingly alarming rate, it looks like Cal's first Kroyshuk might just turn out to he his last. A short festive tale packed with space pirates, bounty hunters, Godzilla-lions and Dorothy out of the Golden Girls, Space Team: The Holiday Special provides the perfect entry point to the Space Team universe.

Star Shroud


Ken Lozito - 2016
    Now they need our help. A hacker makes one of the biggest discoveries that will forever change the world. A NASA pilot whose secret abilities may be the key to humanity’s survival. Kept secret for 60 years, the discovery of an alien signal forces an unlikely team to investigate a mysterious structure discovered in the furthest reaches of the solar system. Join the crew of the Athena, Earth’s most advanced space ship on the ultimate journey beyond our wildest imagining. Strap yourself in. The Star Shroud is the first book in this action-packed space opera series. Readers describe them as “a cross between David Weber and John Ringo.” If you like space opera adventure stories with clever heroes, impossible situations, and chilling discoveries, then you’re in for a fun nonstop thrill ride. Read it now! Find out why thousands of readers have fallen for Ken Lozito’s thrilling series! What readers are saying about the Ascension series: “Hard to put down!” - Amazon Reviewer “Buckle up and hang on tight. You’re in for a wild ride!"  - Ed Ramos ”Fantastic! One of the best SciFi books I have read in a long time."  - Harold Wilson ”Refreshing approach to sci-fi-fi. Fast paced and believable."  - T I Muller “Fantastic feel of classic sci-fi which grows into a modern space opera.” - Amazon Reviewer Scroll up and buy the series today!

How to Make a Spaceship: A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Space Flight


Julian Guthrie - 2016
    He had eighty seconds to exceed the speed of sound and begin the climb to a target no civilian pilot had ever reached. There was a chance he would not come back alive. If he did, he would make history as the world’s first commercial astronaut. The spectacle defied reason, the result of an improbable contest dreamed up by entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, whose vision for a new race to space – requiring small teams to do what only the world’s largest governments had done before – had been dismissed as fantastical. The tale begins in Mount Vernon, N.Y. Diamandis was the son of hard working Greek immigrants who wanted their science prodigy to do the family proud and become a doctor. Peter was a dutiful son, but from the time he was eight years old, staying up late to watch Apollo 11 land on the moon, he had one goal: getting to space. He started a national student space club while at MIT. He launched a rocket company in Houston while getting a medical degree from Harvard - a degree he pursued to improve his chances of becoming an astronaut. But when he realized NASA was winding down manned space flight, Diamandis set out on one of the great entrepreneurial adventure stories of our time. If the government wouldn’t send him to space, he would create a private spaceflight industry and get there himself.In the 1990s, the idea of private space flight was the stuff of science fiction. The undaunted Diamandis found inspiration in an unlikely place: the first golden age of aviation. Reading Charles Lindbergh’s The Spirit of St. Louis, Diamandis was stunned that the aviator had attempted the first transatlantic flight from New York to Paris to win a $25,000 prize. The historic flight galvanized the commercial airline industry. Why, Diamandis thought, couldn’t a similar contest be held for space flight? In 1996, standing under the arch of St. Louis – the city where Lindbergh found his backers - Diamandis announced the $10 million Xprize. To win, a privately funded team would have to build and fly a manned rocket into space twice – in two weeks. The deadline: December 31, 2004.   On a brilliant morning in the Mojave Desert, with little time to spare, a bullet-shaped rocket called SpaceShipOne was launched. The story of SS1, and other scrappy teams in the hunt – all spurred by Diamandis as he struggled to keep the prize afloat – became a testament to the American spirit of ingenuity and oversized dreams. The winning of the Xprize marked the end of the government’s monopoly over space.   Julian Guthrie, author of The Billionaire and The Mechanic, an acclaimed bestselling account of Oracle CEO Larry Ellison’s pursuit of the America’s Cup, thought she knew about obsessive pursuits, but the XPrize race spurred another level of drama, sacrifice, and technical wizardry. With Diamandis’ cooperation, Guthrie had access to all of the players – from Richard Branson and John Carmack to Burt Rutan – and has melded their stories into a spellbinding narrative, a combination of Rocket Boys and The New New Thing. In the end, as Diamandis dreamed, the result wasn’t just a victory for one team; it was the foundation for a new industry, including SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and others. Today, SpaceShipOne hangs in the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, above the Apollo 11 capsule and next to Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis plane.

The Diabolic


S.J. Kincaid - 2016
    A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.

Breaking the Chains of Gravity


Amy Shira Teitel - 2016
    But NASA's prehistory is a rarely told tale, one that is largely absent from the popular space-age literature but that gives the context behind the lunar program. America's space agency wasn't created in a vacuum; it drew together some of the best minds the non-Soviet world had to offer.From Wenher von Braun fleeing the ruins of Berlin to the Mercury program, tests of new technologies by pilots such as Neil Armstrong and, in the shadow of Sputnik, the final creation by Dwight D. Eisenhower of NASA, Breaking The Chains of Gravity tells the story of NASA's roots in an engaging and accessible way, against a backdrop of Nazism, communism, and imminent nuclear annihilation.

Star Wars: I Am a Princess


Courtney Carbone - 2016
    Read all about brave Princess Leia, hero of the Rebel Alliance, as she joins forces with Luke Skywalker and Han Solo to battle Darth Vader and the evil Galactic Empire! Featuring stunning retro illustrations, this book is perfect for Star Wars--and Little Golden Book--fans of all ages.

Vick's Vultures


Scott Warren - 2016
    Victoria Marin, captain of the U.E. Condor, and her crew of Vultures have been running dry for months. In danger of losing her command and her credibility if she can’t locate fresh salvage, she locks onto the distress signal of an alien ship in hopes of valuable cargo. What she finds instead is First Prince Tavram, the heir apparent to one of the largest empires in known space. Tavram’s ship has been crippled after narrowly escaping an ambush and his would-be assassin is coming to finish the job.The Vultures launch a high risk mission to rescue the prince and recover every last scrap of xenotech they can before the hunter catches up to his prey. But there are more dangers than notorious interstellar assassins when it comes to ferrying an alien prince across the stars, and Victoria must contend with dangerous alliances, old grudges, and even her own government if she means to bring her crew home alive. Whether she succeeds or fails, the consequences of her choices will affect the path of all humanity.

NASA Saturn V 1967-1973 (Apollo 4 to Apollo 17 Skylab)


David Woods - 2016
    Developed with the specific brief to send humans to the Moon, it pushed rocketry to new scales. Its greatest triumph is that it achieved its goal repeatedly with an enviable record of mission success. Haynes' Saturn V Manual tells the story of this magnificent and hugely powerful machine. It explains how each of the vehicle's three stages worked; Boeing's S-IC first stage with a power output as great as the UK's peak electricity consumption, North American Aviation's S-II troubled second stage, Douglas's workhorse S-IVB third stage with its instrument unit brain - as much a spacecraft as a rocket. From the decision to build it to the operation of its engines' valves and pumps, this lavishly illustrated and deeply informative book offers a deeper appreciation of the amazing Saturn V.

The Book of Neptune


Steven Forrest - 2016
    It is the window through which you peer into your own mystical vastness—and through which that luminous vastness peers back. This mysterious window has forever hypnotized humanity. Some of us—those who have truly cleaned the glass—are the precious mystics who light our paths. Others, flooded by imagery pouring up from the depths, are the treasured artists who inspire us. Legions more, overwhelmed by their own minds, have sought refuge, disappearing into whiskey bottles and video screens. In this powerful, practical book, best-selling astrologer Steven Forrest unveils a priceless secret buried in your own natal chart.As you come to understand Neptune’s place in your life, a treasure map emerges—one that reveals your best pathway into higher states of consciousness, while warning you about delusions custom-designed to con you into squandering your own soul. Underlying every word is the core notion that everyone is different—that one-size-fits-all spiritual practices can only take us so far. In a nutshell, The Book of Neptune helps you clean the windowpane that stands between you and your own ultimate divinity.

Synergy


Laurie Roma - 2016
    Due to the strength of her ability, she has excelled as a liaison officer despite dealing with constant emotional overload. Her situation makes it impossible to have a relationship, and she’s been forced to give up the dream of having a family to call her own. Or so she believed… Attending the grand opening of Alpha Station: X21 near the planet Xenthian was D’Aire Ambassador Orion D’Sil’s last assignment before returning home. Tired from a life of duty, Orion never thought he would find the keeper of his heart on the edge of Alliance controlled space. Morgan owns him, heart, body and soul, but can he convince her to give up everything she ever known to live with him in his world?An Erotic Romance Novella.

Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future


David Grinspoon - 2016
    Climate change is only the most visible of the modifications we've made—up until this point, inadvertently—to the planet. And our current behavior threatens not only our own future but that of countless other creatures. By comparing Earth's story to those of other planets, astrobiologist David Grinspoon shows what a strange and novel development it is for a species to evolve to build machines, and ultimately, global societies with world-shaping influence.Without minimizing the challenges of the next century, Grinspoon suggests that our present moment is not only one of peril, but also great potential, especially when viewed from a 10,000-year perspective. Our species has surmounted the threat of extinction before, thanks to our innate ingenuity and ability to adapt, and there's every reason to believe we can do so again.Our challenge now is to awaken to our role as a force of planetary change, and to grow into this task. We must become graceful planetary engineers, conscious shapers of our environment and caretakers of Earth's biosphere. This is a perspective that begs us to ask not just what future do we want to avoid, but what do we seek to build? What kind of world do we want? Are humans the worst thing or the best thing to ever happen to our planet? Today we stand at a pivotal juncture, and the answer will depend on the choices we make.

Rocket-Bye


Carole P. Roman - 2016
    Roman travels to the stars, orbiting the moon and rocketing past planets in this adorable journey to the far reaches of the galaxy. A beautiful bedtime poem, this verse is sure to delight any child before they go to sleep.

Space Battle Lunchtime Vol. 1: Lights, Camera, Snacktion


Natalie Riess - 2016
    on a spaceship... and her alien competitors don't play nice! Does Peony really have what it takes to be the best cook in the Galaxy? Tune in and find out!

Apollo: VII - XVII


Simon Phillipson - 2016
    The early exploration of space is one such historical event, unrivalled among humanity’s achievements. Fortunately, the skill and daring of a very particular group of ‘photographers’, the Apollo astronauts, were able to bring back beautiful, moving and instantly recognizable images. It is these images that created a new understanding to what it means to be human, living on this planet and its relation to the sun and the stars.This book presents 225 of these photographs in large print format. Restoring imagery from the original scans of 70mm film rolls the astronauts shot during the program. The book contains a variety of images, ranging from shots taken through the windows of the Command Module of the specular views found on the Earth’s surface, surreal and abstract black and white photography of the lunar surface, to photographs of each of the 12 men in their space suits walking on the surface of the moon.The book also has a unique and exclusive short essay written by Apollo 7 astronaut, Walt Cunningham, who flew on the very first manned Apollo mission. The essay focuses on his pioneering experimentation and testing of the Hasselblad camera that flew with him on board. It was his endeavours that created the foundations for his fellow Apollo astronauts.

Space: Planets, Moons, Stars, and More!


Joe Rhatigan - 2016
    For children who are ready to read on their own.

The Ember War Saga


Richard Fox - 2016
     Iron Hearts Elias lies dying after the battle to liberate Earth. His fellow armor soldiers hatch a plan to save his life, but they'll need help from a Marine with questionable morals to succeed. The Ruins of Anthalas Only a sliver of mankind survived the Xaros invasion. With Earth's defenses in ashes, nothing can stop the aliens' inevitable return. Hope arrives from a cryptic message from a long-lost alien race, promising the means to rebuild the shattered space fleet. Captain Valdar takes one of the last strike carriers, the Breitenfeld, and his shell-shocked crew on a desperate mission to the dead world. Vent Rats Chief MacDougall must hunt down a Toth loose in the Breitenfeld before it wrecks the entire ship. Blood of Heroes The Xaros, a galaxy-wide scourge of murderous drones, have their sights set on the planet Takeni. Captain Isaac Valdar volunteers his ship to defend the innocent civilians and evacuate every one he can. Pressed by an alien fleet in space and a horrifying foe on the surface, the Breitenfeld must risk everything to save the doomed populace.

The Lost Star Episode One


Odette C. Bell - 2016
    Some seek it out.And some turn from it.Ava is a priestess of Avixa, a powerful being with a powerful destiny to keep her people on the true and righteous path.Yet it is a destiny she does not want. To flee it, she joins the Coalition Academy. But her past cannot so easily be left behind. When she joins the newest ship in the fleet, a series of unfortunate accidents befall her.Soon she finds herself thrust into a secret war. One that will span the entire Milky Way. Yet she is not alone. The unpredictable Hunter McClane is by her side. Together they must find out what’s at stake before it’s too late.….The Lost Star is a four-part serialization that plunges you into a sprawling sci-fi adventure that charts the galaxy. Ava and Hunter are pitted against a shadowy conspiracy, slave traders, and ultimately a legend that threatens everything and everyone….

Of Treasons Born


J.L. Doty - 2016
    But what events led up to his reluctant enlistment? What spawned York's almost fanatic loyalty to his friends--and his doubts regarding the imperial uniform he once wore with such pride? York rarely recalls his childhood, which began with a mystery and ended at age eleven when he was given a harsh choice: Join the navy or face certain death on a prison asteroid. The navy has its own code of justice, but a youngster with curiosity and grit is able to rise in the ranks . . . if he's given a fair shot. A few rigorous years later, as a newly commissioned ensign, York is assigned to the hunter-killer ship The Fourth Horseman. But when an unexpected foe kills his superior officer and leaves the crew stranded in enemy territory, the young ensign must do whatever he can to save the ship--even if it means he'll be court-martialed for treason. Of Treasons Born is a novel of the Treasons Cycle; the series was written so that it can be read in any order.

Scarred


Susan Hayes - 2016
    A recently freed harem slave, she is finally traveling the galaxy and visiting the places she could only dream of while she was the property of a Tarin warlord. On her own for the first time, she is finally free to pursue her art and to discover who she is and what she wants out of life. Helios brothers Rhen and Sabar Torven are merchants with a knack for finding new markets. The twins came to Alliance Station X21 with hopes of expanding their business, but once they meet Laesa, their plans change. Deals come and go, but a female like Laesa comes along once in a lifetime, and they’re not leaving the station without her at their side. Can Rhen and Sabar help Laesa find the closure she needs to move on with her life, or will she let the scars of her past deny her the happiness they know she deserves?A 3013 Novella.

Asylum


Kali Argent - 2016
    With the discovery of a new planet, a new race, and the relocation of Alpha Station: X21, her dream is finally within reach. The last thing she needs is distractions, but the universe has a sense of humor, and complications arrive in the form of two Krytos males intent on claiming her as their mate.One night with the beautiful and passionate commander won’t be enough for Krytos brothers Axton and Zade Tavish. Choosing X21 as the home for their sanctuary, Asylum, had nothing to do with location, and everything to do with Olivia. The closer they try to get to the female, however, the more determined she seems to pull away, proving it will take more than charm and persistence to win her heart.When their tenuous relationship reaches its tipping point, Olivia is left with an impossible decision—to sacrifice love in the name of duty, or risk everything for a chance at forever. A 3013 Novella.

On the Space Station


Carron Brown - 2016
    . . What do the astronauts do in space? What do they eat? Where do they sleep? What do they wear? Each page-turn will take you another step forward on this exciting tour of a space station.

Last Command


Lindsay Buroker - 2016
    As it was meant to be.But when the emperor himself summons him for a final special mission, how can he refuse?

The Retreat


Kelly St. Clare - 2016
    Humankind destroyed. And it’s old news. Romy’s life is simple—for a genetically enhanced space soldier; pick up space junk with her four friends, and stave off the invaders fixated on stealing Planet Earth. It isn’t much. But it’s temporary—only another 850 years to go, give or take. When her crew tangles with a gulp-worthy alien mothership, Romy’s return to Earth is brought forwards at hurtling pace. Strength comes from the unlikeliest of quarters. As does leadership. …As does betrayal.

Incredible Stories From Space: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos


Nancy Atkinson - 2016
    Weaving together one-on-one interviews along with the extraordinary sagas of the spacecraft themselves, this book chronicles the struggles and triumphs of nine current space missions and captures the true spirit of exploration and discovery. Full color images throughout reveal scientific discoveries and the stunning, breathtaking views of our universe, sent back to Earth by our robotic emissaries to the cosmos.-Travel along with the first mission to Pluto-Explore Mars alongside the Curiosity Rover-Join the unprecedented hunt for extrasolar planets-Unlock the mysteries of the cosmos with the iconic Hubble Space Telescope-Discover the latest findings in our solar system-See the future of space exploration with a preview of upcoming missions

Mae Jemison: Ready-to-Read Level 3


Laurie Calkhoven - 2016
    So in 1985 she applied to NASA’s astronaut training program. On September 12, 1992, Mae flew into space with six other astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavour and made history—just like you can if you follow your dreams! A special section at the back of the book includes extras on subjects like history and math, plus a fun timeline filled with interesting trivia facts about space! With the You Should Meet series, learning about historical figures has never been so much fun!

Oh No, Astro!


Matt Roeser - 2016
    But when a satellite knocks Astro out of orbit, he is forced to embark on an epic adventure through space…whether he wants to or not! Filled with playful illustrations and tons of cool facts about space, this picture book is a must-have for all the future astronauts who are ready to journey through the galaxy.

All My Friends Are Planets: The Story of Pluto


Alisha Vimawala - 2016
    It hopes to both educate and inspire children and adults alike about our vast and expansive Solar System. To get us all to look at the sky, and dream of what else is out there.

Peep Inside Space


Anna Milbourne - 2016
    Little children can lift the flaps and peek through the holes in the pages to find out lots about space: this interactive introduction to the subject is accurate, playful and approachable. Space is a "hot" topic at the moment and is a fascinating subject that can lead little minds to be more interested about science as a whole.

Goodnight Spaceman


Michelle Robinson - 2016
    . .Inspired by ESA astronaut Tim Peake and his sons.

My Alien Warrior


Vi Voxley - 2016
     Alina Reyes is finally getting off Terra. After years of working her hands to the bone, the curvy scientist has gotten her first intergalactic assignment. With stars in her eyes, she's hoping to make a difference where she never could before. But no sooner than when she gets off the ship does it become obvious that science will not be all she will have to deal with on her mission. Caden is a Skaoi warrior who only desires to fight for what's right. A mate is the last thing on his mind, yet when he meets Alina, something stirs in him. It takes no more than one look to know that she belongs to him. No Skaoi has ever taken a mate outside of their race, and Caden's choice is blasphemous at its purest form. But a man knows when he is right and the universe is wrong. Even with his whole race against him and danger threatening from those closest to him, Caden knows that Alina must be his. Now there's only the small problem of making her see that. And surviving long enough to enjoy it. My Alien Warrior is a full scifi novel with a happy ending, plenty of steam, bloody battles and alien-human intrigue. It is a standalone and has been co-written by two of the hottest scifi romance authors, Vi Voxley and Juno Wells.

The PROX Transmissions


The Starset Society - 2016
    Stephen Browning wakes disoriented and confused in a dingy gas station bathroom. He stumbles home trying to put the pieces of his night back together, only to learn that new tenants have been living in his apartment for over a month. They can offer no explanation, only a letter, written in his own handwriting with three simple words:Shave your head.Desperate to understand what is happening, Browning follows the instructions and is shocked to discover a string of numbers concealed beneath his hair--a series of coordinates tattooed upon the side of his head--coordinates which lead him to the Allen Telescope Array, where he becomes the unwitting recipient of a mysterious signal originating six light years away.His world slowly unraveling, Browning sets out on an epic journey to decipher the meaning of the cryptic transmission, quickly finding that he is merely a helpless pawn in a much bigger game. He soon learns that the secret transmission holds not only a message from the far reaches of the galaxy but a dire warning from the future. Little does Browning know that unless he can protect the transmission from falling into the wrong hands, not only will the warning come to pass but a far greater threat awaits mankind.

The Evaran Chronicles Box Set: Books 1-3


Adair Hart - 2016
    Albert Snowden just wanted to be there for his niece, Emily, after the loss of her father. Being abducted by aliens, and then rescued by a mysterious being known as Evaran, has made that difficult. Despite their situation, they try to make the best of it while traveling through space, time, and beyond with Evaran and V, Evaran's trusty mobile artificial intelligence. With the use of Evaran’s time-traveling ship, the Torvatta, they will try to maintain timeline integrity while dealing with the challenges that brings.This box set contains the first three books in the Evaran Chronicles. If you like science fiction, time travel, technology, and adventure with a space opera bent, then this series is for you.---The Awakening - Book 1 of the Evaran ChroniclesA heavily damaged alien research vessel in the Andromeda galaxy is hurtling toward a planet. The aliens should not be there. They have been traveling through space and time, abducting apex predators and sticking them in virtual simulations for research. The problem is the virtual simulations are powering down, unleashing the specimens on the ship.Dr. Albert Snowden and his niece, Emily, were abducted by the aliens. They are visited by a mysterious being named Evaran in the last minutes of the virtual simulation. He has decided to interfere in this timeline-changing event and rescue them.Stopping the ship from crashing into the planet before getting to Evaran's ship is one issue. Navigating the apex predators on the loose is another. To make matters worse, Jerzan Graduul, infamous leader of the Bloodbore mercenary pack, has boarded the ship in search of salvage opportunities, and has noticed Evaran's ship. The hunt begins.---The Fredorian Destiny - Book 2 of the Evaran ChroniclesThe timeline is wrong. This is discovered when Dr. Albert Snowden and his niece, Emily, travel with Evaran to a galactic cultural exhibition event on Kreagus, the capital home world of the Kreagan Star Empire and galactic superpower near Earth. The Fredorians should be presenting an ancient artifact, known as the Arkaron, to the Kreagan emperor. The problem is they aren’t. Evaran has decided to step in and help the Fredorians achieve their destiny while stabilizing the timeline.They must find the three lost Arkaron crystals in order to assemble the Arkaron. To make matters worse, Seeros, a powerful industrialist, has a bounty on their heads, causing bounty hunters to harass them each step of the way.As if that weren’t enough, an unknown faction is hiring freelance mercenaries to hunt them down as well. Evaran is joined by others, and together, they will have to navigate these perils to assemble the Arkaron and achieve the Fredorian destiny.---The Purification - Book 3 of the Evaran ChroniclesThe past has changed, and the timeline has been updated.Dr. Albert Snowden, and his niece, Emily, experience this while traveling on Evaran’s temporally shielded space-and-time traveling ship. What they discover is that humanity has taken a different path, one that has made Evaran decide to interfere and change human history.Discovering what caused the change is one issue. Dealing with the nonhuman factions in Earth’s past is another.To make things worse, Dr. Snowden has to deal with a personal issue. It does not help that Emily is on a prison planet where she must survive, alone

Arrival


Ryk Brown - 2016
     To start the first extra-solar colony… To avoid the mistakes of our past… To start anew.Three generations, born and raised on a starship hurtling through space. To never know an open sky… To never feel the wind on their face… To never witness the sun rise or set.It is up to the advance team to set foot on each of these worlds, conduct their surveys, and send their findings back to the colony ship. So many questions… So little time… Such an enormous responsibility.Everything must go as planned, for the welfare of all the colonists depends on them.“Arrival” is a 170,000 word, stand-alone novel.

Pirate Nemesis


Carysa Locke - 2016
    All roads lead her to the one place she can’t return: home.

Killers. Thieves. Pirates. Family. Mercy has spent her life evading the Pirate Queen who attempted to murder her as a child. Now, living as a smuggler with the outlawed Talent of telepathy, she keeps her head down, takes jobs that keep her moving, and searches for answers about her mother’s disappearance fifteen years ago. But living outside the law has consequences. 
Tricked and captured, Mercy must choose between two rival factions: the terrorists who will do anything to exploit her gifts for themselves, and the pirates she’s been eluding since childhood. 

Her only ally is the most dangerous killer of them all, and trusting him may be her final mistake.
Star Wars meets Firefly in this space fantasy series readers compare to Ilona Andrews and Nalini Singh.

Empire in Crisis


Dietmar Arthur Wehr - 2016
    But the Empire is getting old and creaky. Its government is riddled with corruption and is choking on red tape. The Space Force is bloated with the incompetent who have risen to high rank due to nepotism and patronage. The Emperor has been assassinated and the Empire is surrounded by alien races that are becoming more hostile and more powerful as time goes on. When an exploration fleet in the rift between sections of the spiral arm are attacked by an unknown race, the dead Emperor’s clone-son, now on the throne, recognizes that the Empire is standing at the edge of an abyss and must find a way to not only win this new war against the alien aggressors but also overcome the inertia of the arrogant Space Force officers who are more ready to overthrow their Emperor than fight the war. Fans of military SF action will find it in this book. Excerpt: “Ah, not so fast, Ren. We’ve just picked up five, I repeat, five unidentified ships heading this way at point eight cee. If they maintain this speed, they’ll get here in about thirteen minutes. Here’s the interesting thing. They’re coming from the same direction as your longitudinal signal. I think it’s highly likely that they came out of that same wormhole just a short while before you found it. Standby while we try to make contact with the rest of the squadron.” Logan stepped closer to Montoya’s Command Chair. When Montoya turned his head in Logan’s direction, Logan leaned over and said, “If they came out of this wormhole, there may be more of them emerging at any moment. I recommend we pull back to extreme detection range.” Montoya nodded. “See to it immediately, SubCommander.” Logan went over to the Helm Station and told the Helm Officer what he wanted done. Detection of ships using warp drive was limited to a range of just under 11 light minutes or 200 million kilometers. At Bird of Prey’s maximum speed of 4.4 times the speed of light, travelling that distance would take just 2.5 minutes. The trick was to stay in contact with the relay ship by longitudinal wave transmission. That wasn’t a problem for Logan’s ship since they knew exactly where to point their transmitter, but the relay ship had to be kept updated via data transmission as to what Bird of Prey was doing so that it could adjust its transmitter to compensate. Logan checked the chronometer for elapsed time since the relay ship had begun detecting the bogeys. Almost four minutes had gone by. He wondered about the bogey’s speed. If they were capable of faster speeds, why not do so? Could it be that their detection range was shorter than the squadron’s light cruisers’? His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Black Eagle’s commander. “Oh Christ! Ren, those five bogeys have just boosted to four point six cee! They’ll be here within ninety seconds! We haven’t been able to make contact with any other ship yet! I’m taking us to Battle Stations, Ren! Stand by!” “XO, bring us to Battle Stations too.” Montoya’s voice had been calm. Logan wondered if his CO’s stomach was churning just as much as his own was right now. Logan put his Command helmet back on and used the virtual controls to sound the Battle Stations alarm. “We’re at Battle Stations, Comma—“ Logan’s sentence was cut off by Magnasson’s voice.

Satori Rising: Starship Satori Books 1-3 Omnibus


Kevin O. McLaughlin - 2016
    Second chances don’t come along every day, so when an old friend offered him one, he grabbed on with both hands. The next thing Dan knew, he was on the moon, piloting humanity's first starship while fighting his way through one peril after another. Little did Dan know that simple offer was anything but, and would lead him to the stars far beyond our own. The risks are great. But if life knocked you down, what would you gamble to have one more shot at your dreams? Stellar Legacy A wild jump into uncharted space saves the starship Satori and her crew from their near brush with death. With a badly damaged ship and injured crew, the planet with breathable air they find on the far side of their jump seems like a stroke of luck. But they quickly learn that they’ve only gone from one danger into another far greater threat. Deep Waters Home again, they lick their wounds, repair the badly damaged starship, and try to make sense of all the things they saw during their first mission beyond our star system. But they’ve brought danger back with them. Charline and Beth undertake a mission home to Earth which will prove more perilous than they could possibly guess. Home should be a safe place, a place to rest and recover. A place to heal. Instead, each of the crew finds themselves in the middle of more trouble, each of them in over their heads in Deep Waters.

School Time for Death: Resurection (Death Dealer Saga Book 5)


Jessie Wolf - 2016
    At the end of the war one was crowned Emperor and the other sent into exile. One of the outcomes of the war was the Temple of Ida-ten was no longer the Imperial Temple and had been branded Outlaw. To even consider hosting a Temple to Ida-ten was tantamount to High Treason. So why would one of the most loyal of the Emperor’s followers even consider this act? The answer was simple in Maiha Nakatoma’s mind. If you beat them don’t join them. If you don’t like the Temples that are around then revive an Outlaw Temple in an act of defiance. For over four hundred years the Temple of Ida-ten has been an Outlaw Temple and its followers considered criminals. Outlawed because the Temple Elders refused to recognize the winner of the Succession War as the true Emperor for the Human Empire. To Maiha Nakatoma this was more than enough reason to revive this Temple and bring back its followers. Five military orders of peace keepers. All of whom are sworn to the ideal that all humans are equal in the eyes of their god and deserving of their protection no matter who they worship. For the followers of Ida-ten there is but one mission the succession of the Emperor. For them, this is their calling. To insure that peace reins within the Empire no matter who sets on the Imperial Throne. Unfortunately for Maiha, and the newest members of the Temple of Ida-ten, there is a problem. That problem is the Temple of Holy Light and the Cardinal Richelieu. A man so bent on returning his family line to the Imperial Throne. So bent on this goal is the Cardinal that he has been plotting with the Longfellow yakuza clan to corrupt the students of Joan Eunice Smith School for Young Ladies and its sister academies. Can Maiha revive the Temple of Ida-ten in time to save the students of the four premier boarding schools in all of the Empire or is she doomed to failure?For Maiha has no choice but to succeed. To do anything less is goes against everything she has ever believed in; for her there is only victory or death in everything she does. She cannot help herself as to do so goes against everything that Death Dealers stand for. The Death Dealers have a moto that sums up the way they deal with all problems. ‘Death is dealt by our hands.’ The concept of failure is so foreign to them that must never even consider they will fail. They never give up and they never back down. It is this philosophy that Maiha will impart onto the new members of the Temple of Ida-ten as they each become new Second Generation Death Dealers. Death Dealers that are as much machine as they are human. Now that Maiha knows the secrets of the nanites, that changed her from the old man that she once was, she has decided to pass the power of the second generation onto the new followers of Ida-ten. The first of which are the Daughters of the Dragon and the Sisterhood of the Nightingales. It will be from these two small groups that the new Temple of Ida-ten shall grow.While Maiha rebuilds the Outlawed Temple there are forces moving to stop her and take control of the Empire before she can ready the new followers of Ida-ten. How she and her family deals with this new unseen threat is one that no one saw coming.

Calculating the Cosmos: How Mathematics Unveils the Universe


Ian Stewart - 2016
    He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it's all going to end. He considers parallel universes, the fine-tuning of the cosmos for life, what forms extraterrestrial life might take, and the likelihood of life on Earth being snuffed out by an asteroid.Beginning with the Babylonian integration of mathematics into the study of astronomy and cosmology, Stewart traces the evolution of our understanding of the cosmos: How Kepler's laws of planetary motion led Newton to formulate his theory of gravity. How, two centuries later, tiny irregularities in the motion of Mars inspired Einstein to devise his general theory of relativity. How, eighty years ago, the discovery that the universe is expanding led to the development of the Big Bang theory of its origins. How single-point origin and expansion led cosmologists to theorize new components of the universe, such as inflation, dark matter, and dark energy. But does inflation explain the structure of today's universe? Does dark matter actually exist? Could a scientific revolution that will challenge the long-held scientific orthodoxy and once again transform our understanding of the universe be on the way? In an exciting and engaging style, Calculating the Cosmos is a mathematical quest through the intricate realms of astronomy and cosmology.

D Is for Destiny


Bungie - 2016
    From Four-Armed Fallen to the Mysteries of Mercury and the Moon, D is for Destiny makes exploring the far reaches of the solar system as easy as A, B, C. © 2016 Bungie, Inc. Destiny, the Destiny logo, Bungie and the Bungie Logo are registered trademarks of Bungie, Inc. All rights reserved. Game published and distributed by Activision.

StarTalk: Everything You Ever Need to Know About Space Travel, Sci-Fi, the Human Race, the Universe, and Beyond


Neil deGrasse Tyson - 2016
    In 2009, he founded StarTalk, the wildly popular podcast that became an Emmy-nominated talk show on the National Geographic Channel this year. Tyson’s pioneering, provocative book will take the greatest hits from the airwaves to the page in one smart, richly illustrated compendium. Featuring vivid photography, thought-provoking sidebars, enlightening facts, and fun quotes from science and entertainment luminaries like Bill Nye and Dan Aykroyd, StarTalk reimagines science’s most challenging topics—from how the brain works to the physics of comic book superheroes—in a relatable, humorous way that will delight fans and new readers alike.

The Shapeshifter Chronicles


Samuel PeraltaThomas Robins - 2016
    Beings with the ability to change their physical form or manifestation. From legendary humans who transform under the light of a full moon, to the horrific mimicry of The Thing, to the mimetic metal of a T-1000 Terminator, such embody the mystery of the unknown.In this volume of the acclaimed Future Chronicles anthology series, eleven authors weave stories around such entities - both fantastical and technological - exploring our fascination with the shapeshifter.The Shapeshifter Chronicles features stories by Hugo and Nebula Award winner Ken Liu, Aurora Award winner Julie E. Czerneda, USA Today bestselling authors Anthea Sharp and Alexia Purdy, plus seven more of today's most visionary authors in fantasy and speculative fiction.

The Complete Intrepid Saga & Destiny Lost: An Aeon 14 Ominibus


M.D. Cooper - 2016
    New Life. New Start. Getting a berth on the Intrepid is her ticket out of the Sol System.But nothing proves easy for Major Tanis Richards. Nothing is at it seems. What should be a simple trip is fraught with danger and filled with adventure. An array of forces seek to stop the Intrepid-no matter the cost, or lives lost. From competing corporations, to stellar eco-terrorists, no one wants the Intrepid to arrive at New Eden.Through their journey, the crew of the Intrepid will face rival stellar governments, civil war, and the most wanted serial killer known to the galaxy. Pivoting their role from colonists to saviors.Perhaps it's because the Intrepid carries the most valuable secret known to humanity. Or maybe it's just Tanis's luck.Pick up The Intrepid Saga now and journey with Tanis on an intense, action-packed adventure through the stars.

Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs!


Mike Lowery - 2016
    Set in space, the book invites the reader to join Carl, a duck and member of a super-secret international group of explorers, on a journey in search of a very important grail-like object. The book is sturdy paper over board with beautiful cream paper—perfect for defacing! And by the end, the reader will have co-written a tale to return to again and again, and show off to family and friends.

The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: The History and Legacy of NASA’s Most Notorious Tragedy


Charles River Editors - 2016
    The Space Shuttle Challenger was the most heavily used space shuttle in the three years it was operational, carrying the first minority astronaut and woman astronaut into space. Challenger was also the first space shuttle to complete a landing at night.On the morning of January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger launched for the 10th time, beginning mission STS-51-L. Space shuttles had already successfully completed 24 missions, and no American spacecraft had ever failed to reach orbit during an official mission. On this mission, the Challenger was carrying a satellite for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites system, which was to be deployed in orbit. The crew included Ronald McNair, who had already been the second African-American in space, and Ellison Onizuka, who had already been the first Asian-American astronaut in space. But the highlight of the mission was to be the “NASA Teacher in Space Project,” in which a civilian teacher would give teaching lessons to his or her class while onboard the space shuttle. The winner of the competition was Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher in Concord, New Hampshire, who wrote a winning essay and had to undergo a year of astronaut training before that fateful day. It was a beautiful morning, and many spectators came to the Kennedy Space Center to watch the launch, including McAuliffe’s parents and her students. Several news networks were carrying live broadcasts of the launch, including live shots of McAuliffe’s parents as they watched the Challenger liftoff. Mission Control’s transmissions to the Challenger were being blared over loudspeakers to give spectators a play-by-play of the shuttle’s ascent.Ascent seemed to be going normally during the first minute, but about 75 seconds into the ascent, a plastic O-ring used to seal a joint in one of the solid rocket boosters failed, causing a breach of hot gas. That gas spread to the other rocket booster and the external fuel tank, causing an explosion. When the spectators saw the explosion, many of them started cheering, unaware of what was really happening. But Mission Control quickly announced that there had been some sort of problem, and the crowd became confused and then panicky as the space shuttle, fuel tank and rocket boosters all broke apart and flew in opposite directions. Some cameras fixed on the falling debris as it fell to the ocean, while others stayed focused on McAuliffe’s parents. The entire crew was killed in the explosion, and investigations concluded that they may have survived until crashing into the ocean. After the Challenger disaster, the space shuttles were grounded for about two years, and a commission issued findings that would be used in an effort to prevent similar tragedies.The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: The History and Legacy of NASA’s Most Notorious Tragedy chronicles the disaster from the origins of its mission to what went so terribly wrong. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Challenger like never before.

The Ultimate Book of Space


Anne-Sophie Baumann - 2016
    Bursting with 40 flaps, pop-ups, pull tabs, and movable parts, The Ultimate Book of Space provides a richly illustrated, hands-on exploration of space travel, the Earth's place in our galaxy, the solar system, and so much more! Sure to encourage curious young readers to venture deeper into space, this is a must-have book for any budding scientist's library.

Abandoned in Place: Preserving America's Space History


Roland Miller - 2016
    Some structures, too solid for any known method of demolition, stand empty and unused in the wake of the early period of US space exploration. Now Roland Miller's color photographs document the NASA, Air Force, and Army facilities across the nation that once played a crucial role in the space race.Rapidly succumbing to the elements and demolition, most of the blockhouses, launch towers, tunnels, test stands, and control rooms featured in Abandoned in Place are located at secure military or NASA facilities with little or no public access. Some have been repurposed, but over half of the facilities photographed no longer exist. The haunting images collected here impart artistic insight while preserving an important period in history.

Beyond the Galaxy: How Humanity Looked Beyond Our Milky Way and Discovered the Entire Universe


Ethan Siegel - 2016
    Even to the naked eye, the Moon, stars, planets, the Milky Way and even a few star clusters and nebulae illuminate the heavens. For millennia, humans struggled to make sense of what's out there in the Universe, from all we can see to that which lies beyond the limits of even our most powerful telescopes. Beyond the Galaxy traces our journey from an ancient, Earth-centered Universe all the way to our modern, 21st century understanding of the cosmos. Touching on not only what we know but also how we know it, Ethan Siegel takes us to the very frontiers of modern astrophysics and cosmology, from the birth of our Universe to its ultimate fate, and everything in between.

Otherworlds: Visions of Our Solar System


Michael Benson - 2016
    We start in low Earth orbit and then move on to the Moon and our planetary neighbors, Mars and Venus. We then explore Mercury and the Sun before traveling to the gas giants of the outer solar system—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—and onward to Pluto. Using the best imagery from remarkable missions of robotic spacecraft, Benson takes us on a voyage of discovery that gives us a new, expansive concept of home and our place in the universe.

The Arrival


Adair Hart - 2016
    By the Seceltor Empire’s laws, he will have to go to a breeding camp, or directly into slavery. Neither choice appeals to him. All this changes with the arrival of a space-and-time-traveling being known as Evaran at the space station turned rest stop that Jake lives on.To make things complicated, Greecho, the slaver who abducted Jake as a kid, has arrived at the station. He and his crew, along with his twenty-two-year-old human pet, Kathy, are about to go on a slave run to Earth.Evaran has decided to interfere and free Jake and Kathy. That decision will lead him to Earth, where he will need to deal with the consequences.