Beyond Earth: How Space Exploration Affects Life at Home

Gr 4 Up–Using short chapters, insets, and photographs to present information, space exploration as beneficial for earthlings is explored in this short, informational, chapter book. Inventions that have been made for space exploration but have uses on earth are shown, including foam for sneakers, metal for braces, and other easily identifiable items. The author also demonstrates that information garnered from satellites is useful in keeping people safe, alerts us to pollution, and keeps tabs on climate changes. Lastly, discoveries made for long-term space exploration, such as freeze-dried food, are now used for the military or backpackers, and harnessing solar power in space to run the International Space Station could possibly be used to help earth harness solar power. With attractive layouts, good use of white space, and kid-friendly facts sprinkled throughout, (the first TikTok was made in space by an Italian astronaut!) kids will find a lot to keep them engaged and plenty to think about.