REVIEW: Dinner with an Astronaut by Leroy Chiao
The inspiring journey of Leroy Chiao, one of the first Asian American astronauts in history, illuminating his remarkable path into space and the fascinating history of rocketry and space travel from its very beginnings
Imagine if you could sit down and enjoy a meal with an astronaut. What questions would you ask? What could you learn after a few courses? Leroy Chiao invites you as his guest for Dinner with an Astronaut, an insightful and witty deep dive into the world’s most unexplored realm: the cosmos.
At just 30 years old, Leroy was selected by NASA as one of twenty-three members of the thirteenth astronaut group. As the first full Chinese heritage professional astronaut, he flew four space missionsthe Space Shuttle, Soyuz, ISS, and on spacewalks in both US and Russian spacesuits, and served as the commander of the International Space Station.
Using his unique perspective from flying with fellow American, Japanese and Russian professionals, Leroy now answers your burning universe-spanning questions.
Sharing the wonders of space with those of us on Earth, Leroy details his astronaut training and otherworldly spaceflights. Gorgeously luminary and deeply profound, Dinner with an Astronaut invites readers to join Leroy Chiao and take a seat at the table,
Review
This sounded like fun. After reading and reviewing so many books about NASA and astronauts written by others, here’s the man doing his own stunts – I mean writing. Chaio has arranged the book starting with his childhood in the 1960s when he, along with neighborhood friends, fell in love with the NASA space program. Then and there, he decided he wanted to fly and be an astronaut. There is also a lot about Chaio’s Chinese-American childhood and how life with his strict immigrant scientist parents shaped him.
Becoming an astronaut is something a lot of people might have wished on a star to do but getting there is hard work. Chaio applied twice. The first time he knew he wouldn’t get far but the second time, when he was among the 100+ to actually be brought to Houston to be interviewed, was intense. It apparently helped that his personal essay was only one page instead of the 100+ pages others wrote. With a PhD and pilot’s license along with practical work experience, he thought he was ready. Only he wasn’t … until the next day when he got another phone call.
“Wow. I’m really out here. I’m really doing this.”
From there he takes us through his NASA training, his hopes to do EVAs (he was inspired by Ed White’s first NASA EVA), waiting for that first trip to space and then the excitement of blasting off. The badge and especially the nickname that he came up with for his astronaut group is unforgettable. Work with the Roscosmos space program (if the old equipment still works, why upgrade?) and his months-long time on ISS with Salizhan Sharipov followed.
Get ready for the biggest roar of your life.
Finally we hear about his thoughts on what has taken place in space since he left NASA in 2005 (he doesn’t stint with his opinions) and if he’d ever go to Mars if he could. Chaio is intelligent, well spoken, and funny (especially during his attempt to launch his younger sister airborne with a home-made hang-glider. She wasn’t amused). The book is written in a way that I think would also make it accessible for teens as well as adults. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to reach a dream of space flight, Leroy Chaio is your man. B
~Jayne
I came home with a new perspective and a greater appreciation for my own life. Before, I was the kind of person that if I felt like I got ripped off, I’d be irritated the rest of the day. If my university football team lost, I’d be upset about it for hours. I came back from space, and I learned to let the small stuff go. I’d found my Zen, a gift not from my Chinese ancestors, but from outer space.
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This does sound intriguing, Jayne, so thank you!
Just started reading this–thanks for the recommendation, Jayne!
@flchen1: I’m here for ya! Hope you enjoy it.