NPR's Book of the Day For a novel on the first women astronauts, Taylor Jenkins Reid studied old NASA PDFs
Jun 17, 2025
Taylor Jenkins Reid, bestselling author of Atmosphere, shares her captivating journey in crafting a novel about Joan Goodwin, one of NASA's first women astronauts. She reveals how her deep research involved scouring old PDFs and visiting the Johnson Space Center. Reid explores the early challenges female astronauts faced in a male-dominated field and delves into themes of ambition and love amidst the stars. Tune in to hear how these pioneering women navigated both the physical and emotional realms of space exploration.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Joan's Journey to NASA
- Joan Goodwin is an astronomer who applies twice to become one of NASA's first women astronauts.
- Surrounded by like-minded people, she forms a close bond with fellow astronaut Vanessa Ford.
NASA's Adaptation to Women
- NASA had to adjust many tools and protocols initially designed for men to accommodate women astronauts.
- Women astronauts led small but important changes, like customizing spacesuits and harnesses for female bodies.
Author’s NASA Research Experience
- Taylor Jenkins Reid visited Johnson Space Center and boarded a decommissioned shuttle for research.
- She consulted Paul Dye, a former NASA flight director, to ensure technical accuracy.