Shooting for the Stars - to Become Ireland's First Astronaut!

by Norah Patten, Jennifer Farley (illustrator)

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Follow Norah as she brings you on a journey high above the earth and into space. You will learn about space travel, astronaut training and life without gravity.

In 2017 Dr. Norah Patten, from Ballina in Co. Mayo, was one of 12 participants from around the world selected to take part in a unique scientist-astronaut training programme, Project Possum. She is now on course to become Ireland’s first astronaut!

Follow Norah as she brings you on a journey high above the earth and into space. You will learn about space travel, astronaut training and life without gravity. Norah will answer those all-important questions such as how long does it take to become an astronaut and where exactly astronauts go to the toilet?!

• Did you know that our sun is a star, just like all the stars we see at night?

• Did you know that, in space, the astronauts have to use special ropes to hold themselves down while running on the treadmill?

A fun and engaging book about space and becoming an astronaut but most importantly a book about following your dreams no matter how big!

About the Author

Norah Patten was 11 years of age when she visited NASA on a family trip to the United States. From that moment on she was hooked on all things space! Norah was on a mission: she wanted to learn everything she possibly could about space exploration, rockets, and how she could someday become an astronaut.In 2017 Dr. Norah Patten, from Ballina in Co. Mayo, was one of 12 participants from around the world selected to take part in a unique scientist-astronaut training programme in Florida. She is on course to become Ireland’s first astronaut! In achieving her dream of becoming an astronaut Norah hopes to inspire and encourage the children of Ireland to dream big and reach for the stars!Norah has given talks at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and helped to launch the CBI, BoldGirls campaign. She has appeared on TV and radio.

Jennifer Farley is an illustrator and designer. She draws pictures for children’s books, maps, apps, t-shirts, graphics for websites and promotional events. She is currently a director of Illustrators Ireland. Jennifer has a Masters degree in Design and has been teaching Photoshop, Illustrator and Design Theory for over 14 years. Jennifer is the author and illustrator of Island of Adventures which was published in 2018. She is originally from Dublin, but now lives the country life with her husband and two dogs, Otto and Knuckles.