Top Secret Science in Space

Top Secret Science in Space focuses on the U.S.-Russia space race. Although Canada has had several astronauts in space, including Chris Hadfield who commanded the International Space Station, and has contributed significant technology, such as the Canadarm, there is no mention of Canada in this book. This omission is unfortunate, but there is value in the topics that include the race for space, space wars, spy satellites, aliens, space tourism, space suits of the future, and living in space.

Every double-page spread throughout the book includes a section titled either “Dark Science Secrets” or “Tomorrow’s Secrets”. “Tomorrow’s Secrets” in the section “Is Anyone Out There?” discusses the use of “radio telescopes based in Australia, California, and West Virginia” to search for alien communication. Although this topic is speculative by its nature, the author uses the kind of overly generalize language that shouldn’t be in nonfiction books for students.

However, there is a general belief that any communication with an alien race would be kept secret from the general public, because it could cause panic and also have a serious impact on different religions around the world.

Like other books in the “Top Science Secrets” series, Top Science Secrets in Space ends with “Your Mission”. This section is titled “Be a Space Explorer” and included several research questions.

Write a mission statement saying where you are going and why. Is it to make a profit, to help humankind if there is a disaster on Earth, for adventure, or to discover if there is other life in the universe?

Top Science Secrets in Space will appeal to some students who want to know more about technology related to space and won’t care that the content is entirely from an American perspective, and occasionally slips into unsupported speculation.