Designing a Shuttle & Living and Working in Space

Discover how Rockets, Shuttles, and Astronauts Made Space Travel Real!

The Smithsonian Dual Discovery Flip Book: Designing a Shuttle & Living and Working in Space launches readers into the world of space exploration. Created for grades 3-5, this two-in-one book combines Smithsonian facts, NASA technology, and STEAM learning to inspire curiosity about life beyond Earth. Students uncover how engineers built reusable spacecraft and solved challenges that made human spaceflight possible. They also step aboard the International Space Station to see how astronauts eat, sleep, and conduct research in microgravity.

Inside, readers will explore:

Designing a Shuttle: The groundbreaking work of NASA engineers who transformed space travel with reusable spacecraft. Readers see how design choices solved problems like re-entry heat, fuel efficiency, and crew safety. They’ll also learn how innovations such as rocket boosters and thermal tiles changed the way humans reach orbit.

Living and Working in Space: Daily life aboard the International Space Station, from eating freeze-dried meals to exercising in microgravity.Readers explore how astronauts adapt to sleeping without gravity, managing limited resources, and conducting experiments that can’t be done on Earth.

With hands-on STEAM activities, real-world science connections, and striking NASA images, this flip book makes complex topics engaging and accessible. Ideal for classrooms, libraries, and home learning, it builds STEAM skills and inspires the next generation of explorers.