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Becoming Off-Worldly: Learning from Astronauts to Prepare for Your Spaceflight Journey

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In this new era of commercial spaceflight, now is your opportunity to become off-worldly.

Learn from experienced astronauts what surprised them about their time off-Earth. Hear from future private astronauts how they are preparing for their trips to space. Get the inside scoop on lesser-known spaceflight training and preparations. Read the personal stories of how the breathtaking view of our planet from above, the disorientation of microgravity, and other unexpected details of space travel profoundly changed the lives of these astronauts and may change yours, helping them and you to become off-worldly.

#1 (paperback) and #2 (ebook) best seller in Amazon new releases in Astronautics & Space Flight!


What They're Saying
“So you’re an aspiring space traveler? Whether in a rocket or an arm-chair, this is the authentic spaceflight guide to choose.”

- Tom Jones, NASA astronaut and author of Ask the Astronaut





“I truly enjoyed sharing my experiences with Laura. Her new book is very well done and the stories are perfectly articulated. A must-read for any future astronaut hopeful!”

- Greg “Box” Johnson, NASA astronaut





“Laura Forczyk has compiled an unbelievable collection of astronaut reflections on the human spaceflight experience that will capture your interest and imagination and likely leave you yearning to take the journey away from Planet Earth for yourself. This is a must read for anyone wondering what it’s like to actually fly in space!”
- Charles F. Bolden Jr., NASA Astronaut and 12th NASA Administrator





“Laura Forczyk chronicles a new era of human spaceflight and introduces a new generation of astronauts – Becoming Off-Worldly is a must-read for all those pursuing a dream of spaceflight.”

- Kellie Gerardi, author of Not Necessarily Rocket Science





“A well told, comprehensive look at the coming revolution in how researchers will go to work in space—a must read!”

- Alan Stern, author of Chasing New Horizons





“Laura Forczyk's book, Becoming Off-Worldly, shares how greater accessibility to space can allow the unique perspective to benefit humanity.”

- Lori Garver, former NASA Deputy Administrator, author of Escaping Gravity





“The next growth opportunity for humanity will be to see our fragile Earth from above and allow that view to change how we view our collective future. This book will help inspire a new wave of future space travelers.”

- Dylan Taylor, Chairman & CEO of Voyager Space, private astronaut


About the Author
Space scientist and analyst Laura Seward Forczyk has been planning her expedition to the Moon since childhood. She has floated in microgravity in aircraft, climbed into a meteor crater, and trained to become a commercial astronaut. She assists companies, governments, organizations, and individuals to pursue their space ambitions as she awaits her off-worldly adventure.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2022

3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read

About the author

Laura Forczyk

3 books3 followers
Space scientist and analyst Laura Seward Forczyk has been planning her expedition to the Moon since childhood. She has floated in microgravity in aircraft, climbed into a meteor crater, and trained to become a commercial astronaut. She published her first book, Rise of the Space Age Millennials, in 2020. Her second book, Becoming Off-Worldly, will be available in January 2022. She assists companies, governments, organizations, and individuals to pursue their space ambitions as she awaits her off-worldly adventure.

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for DarshDavis.
4 reviews
April 14, 2022
Motivating, helpful and honest book about Space & Astronauts!

Laura is an experienced Space industry analyst and consultant so the book is filled with not just the wisdom of the astronauts she interviews but also her own narration and advice.
The book is easy to read for anyone from any industry and is family friendly due to the content being educative and jargon being at the minimal or explained in simple words when required. Foreword by Frank White, the author of the Overview Effect is a great start of the book, then we learn about words of Space, some history and when interviews start, it's not a rigid structure of interview as we see in newspapers or magazine. Laura narrates each person's story and adds their thoughts that make us feel as if we are with them listening to everything they're saying. Many popular names can be seen sharing their experiences about becoming an astronaut, and also general life or career advice helpful regardless of your industry or phase.
I loved the sections at the end of chapters where Laura shares how to prepare for different aspects of your Space journey. Some of it being as easy as preparing for zero gravity by imagining food floating (Mentally preparing) or seeing your room from different angles (weightlessness perspective preparation) or participating in Analog Astronaut Missions (Simulated Mars or Moon missions on Earth, like HI-SEAS Hawaii or LunAres Poland).
So, overall, it's an awesome read for anyone who wants to know about what it feels like to be an astronaut, and why it is possible for everyone to be one. Highly recommended even if you are not from the Space industry and if you are, then this is a must own guide to read and refer!!

Profile Image for Andrew Clough.
197 reviews9 followers
August 15, 2022
Instructions for those looking to go into space as a commercial astronaut with some useful tidbits for the rest of us.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews

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