When Tim Peake blasted off to the International Space Station last year, his mission captured our imaginations and showed us what living and working in space was really lie.
Between dangerous spacewalks, running a marathon, delivering lettuce seeds and speaking to schoolchildren from orbit, he ignited a passion and curiosity about space - and then got everyone excited again with the news that he's going back for another mission.
Around the world, space is booming. And Abingdon sits smack bang in the centre of some of the most exciting space science - and talented scientists - on the planet.
Still wondering what to be when you grow up? Our advice is to become an astronaut. But where do you start?
On March 26 at the Amey Theatre, as part of Abingdon's ATOM Festival of Science, Louie Stowell - children's author and UK Space Agency expert - will explain "How To Become An Astronaut" in an exciting, out-of-this-world event for the whole family.
Together with Usborne Books, Louie will explain just what it takes to become an astronaut and go on a mission to the International Space Station.
Being an astronaut is not about having the “right stuff” any more. You have to be a scientist, engineer, gardener, YouTuber, coder...not to mention toilet scrubber.
Louie will talk through the training process, and there will be a crash course (not literally!) on what it takes to travel into space. She will answer all the big questions from “How do rockets work?” and “What do astronauts do all day?” to “How do you go to the toilet on a spaceship?”
On the way you'll learn about the technology that astronauts use, from space suits (surprisingly heavy) to Soyuz spacecraft (surprisingly old), and the scientific experiments that Tim Peake and his colleagues carried out on the International Space Station.
Louie Stowell is author of the Usborne Official Astronaut’s Handbook, which answers all the questions you need to know about being an astronaut (and contains a special message from Tim Peake!).
Louie has also written books on Coding for Beginners Using Python, so expect tips on what software is needed for a successful trip into space.
Around the world, space is booming. Reusable rockets, daring exploration, international collaborations, awe-inspiring science and even trips round the Moon. We think becoming an astronaut might just be the best career move you could make...
So come along, have fun, be inspired - your training starts here!
Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for children - or free with an ATOM Festival Pass. Buy tickets from the official ATOM Festival Website - or from Mostly Books.
Mark Thornton of Mostly Books will be interviewing comedian, actor, journalist and author David Mitchell about his new book “Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse: and Other Lessons from Modern Life” on Thursday, 13 November 2014, 7pm.
Please note: this event is now sold out but you can pre-order copies of David's book which he will sign on the evening.
David Mitchell is one of the UK’s best-known comedians. He’s also an actor and writer. A former pupil of Abingdon School, he came to prominence as one half of ‘Mitchell and Webb’ and has since won BAFTAs for ‘Peep Show’ and ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’. He has also starred in ‘Jam and Jerusalem’, ‘The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff’ and ‘Ambassadors’. He writes for the Observer, chairs ‘The Unbelievable Truth’, is a team captain on ‘Would I Lie To You’? and has appeared regularly on almost all of our most popular panel shows, including ‘QI’, ‘Have I Got News For You’ and ‘Mock The Week’. In 2012 he published his memoir ‘Back Story’.
David will be in conversation about his latest book ‘Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse: And Other Lessons from Modern Life’, a collection of essays in which David considers the problems of everything from chocolate toothpaste to Ryanair, Poundland to ‘whether anything can be done about the Internet’. It’s funny, profound and provocative – and shot through with a surprising amount of common sense.
The event takes place at The Amey Theatre, Abingdon School, Oxfordshire OX14 1DE. David will be signing copies of his book immediately after the event.
Tickets are £12 and are available from Mostly Books. They can be reserved by calling the shop or emailing them on books@mostly-books.co.uk. Seating is unreserved, and doors open at 6:15pm for refreshments.
You can also pre-purchase advance copies of the book at a special discounted pre-order price of £15 (RRP £18.99 hardback) when purchasing your ticket. All advance purchased books will be collected on the night, and David will sign following the event. Pre-ordered books can be signed by David prior to the event at your request.
(Books can also be purchased on the night for £1.99 off the retail price, or £17).
We have an allocation of tickets for Mostly Books customers that will sell out shortly, so please let us know as soon as you can if you would like tickets. All tickets will be sold in advance – not on the door – and all sales are non-refundable; no discounts or concessions on tickets.
On March 26 at the Amey Theatre, as part of Abingdon's ATOM Festival of Science, Louie Stowell - children's author and UK Space Agency expert - will explain "How To Become An Astronaut" in an exciting, out-of-this-world event for the whole family.
Louie will talk through the training process, and there will be a crash course (not literally!) on what it takes to travel into space. She will answer all the big questions from “How do rockets work?” and “What do astronauts do all day?” to “How do you go to the toilet on a spaceship?” 
On the way you'll learn about the technology that astronauts use, from space suits (surprisingly heavy) to Soyuz spacecraft (surprisingly old), and the scientific experiments that Tim Peake and his colleagues carried out on the International Space Station.
