Imagine building a rocket and blasting off into space!But to really do that you'll need to apply a fair bit of science.This book has twelve scientific investigations to help you understand why gravity matters, and how to power a rocket and land safely back on Earth. Discover why rockets are rocket-shaped and what happens when you create a chemical reaction - and lots, lots more!Space Science is the ultimate series for the astronomers and astronauts of the future. It delves into loads of intriguing 'how', 'what', and 'why' facts about the night sky. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and use readily-available materials that won't break the bank! Authored by Mark Thompson - a brilliant astronomer and television and radio presenter - who brings a fresh approach to the exploration and understanding of the Solar System ... and beyond!This book is part of the Space Science series, which covers key areas of the science curriculum, such as forces, materials and matter, light, rocks, chemical reactions, recycling and waste, magnets, solar power, gravity, distance, maps and constellations.For readers aged 9+
Mark Thompson is an award-winning science broadcaster, author, and presenter known for making astronomy accessible to everyone. He's presented on BBC Stargazing Live, The One Show, and numerous TV programs, while touring his Spectacular Science Show to sell-out audiences across the UK for over a decade. Mark is the author of six books on space and astronomy, including the bestselling 101 Facts You Didn't Know About Space and A Space Traveller's Guide to the Solar System. His debut science fiction novel, Proxima Centauri: The Ark Between the Stars, combines his passion for realistic space exploration with compelling storytelling.
When not writing or presenting, Mark lectures at institutions like the Royal Astronomical Society and The Royal Institution, hosts podcasts exploring sleep science and the commercial space sector, and supports charities including Barnardo's—for which he once lectured for 140 hours straight, raising tens of thousands of pounds.
Mark holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of East Anglia and is a patron of the Norwich Science Festival, Youth STEMM Awards, and The Sleep Charity.