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[b]Astronaut Scott Kelly to Write a Book About His Life in Space[/b] Scott Kelly, the pioneering NASA astronaut who recently returned to Earth after 340 days in space, and whose time aboard the International Space Station was celebrated around the world, will write a book about his life, his historic journey, and the future of space exploration. The book, "Endurance: My Year in Space and Our Journey to Mars," to be written with Margaret Lazarus Dean, will be published by Knopf in November 2017. The announcement was made today by Sonny Mehta, Chairman of Alfred A. Knopf. Jonathan Segal, Knopf Vice President and Senior Editor, will edit the book. Kelly will tell the story of his journey to space and his life aboard the ISS. He will also recount the obstacles he encountered along the way — his early struggles in school (where he was a C-student), his training as a Navy test pilot, and the work required to become an astronaut (and live in space for one year). Kelly also makes a compelling argument for space exploration (public and private), and tells us what it means (and what it will take) to be an explorer in the twenty-first century. In "Endurance," Kelly's life aboard the ISS is rendered in frank detail, much of it heretofore untold. Kelly captures moments great and small, heart wrenching and harrowing, as well as all the complexities and minutia of his everyday existence in space – the longest mission in history by an American astronaut. He also describes the sensory isolation one experiences after spending an extended period of time in space. "Natural life doesn't exist here," he writes. "The smell of the seasons, the warmth of the sun, the company of others – things we take for granted but I never will again." He addresses the emotional and physical toll as well. While NASA scientists gathered data about the effects of spaceflight on Kelly's body, similar experiments were being carried out back on Earth on Kelly's near-perfect genetic match, his twin brother, Mark. "During my time in orbit," Kelly writes, "I lost bone mass, my muscles atrophied, and my blood redistributed itself in my body, which strained my heart. Every day, I was exposed to ten times the radiation of a person on Earth, which will increase my risk of a fatal cancer for the rest of my life. Not to mention the psychological stress, which is harder to quantify and perhaps as damaging." Looming over every space journey, of course, is the potential for catastrophic failure, and in "Endurance," Kelly writes about the things that went wrong as well as things that almost did. "Nothing about spaceflight is routine," Kelly observes. "None of it can be taken for granted. The mistakes that have cost astronauts their lives in the past are terrifyingly small and mundane. Astronauts know this, and we must bring this heightened awareness to everything we do." Finally, when addressing the questions "Why go to Mars? Why go to space at all?" Mr. Kelly writes, "There are few aspects of everyday life that aren't touched by the technologies developed for space travel... but these innovations aren't the only benefits of spaceflight... The superhuman accomplishment of innovation, perseverance, and cooperation carried out by thousands of Americans working towards one audacious goal speaks for itself." "Scott has lived a remarkable life, and indeed much of it reads like a work of fiction," said Mehta. "I count myself among the millions who stand in awe of his selfless achievements. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his journey is the humanity he depicts. It is essential testimony, as it describes what man is capable of achieving when we reach for greatness and work for it together." Kelly was represented in the negotiations by Elyse Cheney. The terms of the deal are not being disclosed. In addition to "Endurance," Kelly will also publish several books about his time in space for young readers with Random House Children's Books, and a book of photographs taken aboard the ISS.
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