Operation StarBridge

There are two possibilities. Maybe we are alone in the universe, maybe we're not. Both are equally frightening.--Isaac AsimovThis STEM narrative tells the epic story of the StarBridge mission. It is the year 2083 CE. The International Space Administration is preparing to send forty-six courageous astronauts on a thirty-six-month voyage beyond our solar system for the first time. It will be the most challenging journey of exploration in the history of humankind as they embark on a trip to Alpha Centauri, our closest stellar neighbor more than forty trillion kilometers away. After a brief stopover on Mars. the StarBridge sets out on its fourteen-month mission unaware of a Martian stowaway on board. When discovered, Raskel Preston and his magical little sidekick, Bingle, quickly win over the hearts and support of the crew, including the ship's captain, Mickeleen Keys; her husband, Blaine; and their twin children, Hubble and Cassini. Join in as we meet the reclusive, mysterious Professor Whyly, the legendary leader of the Mars colony; Dr. Rogers, the kindly director of the hydroponics department; Dr. Lipke; and the extremely efficient yet grumpy FlapJack, the AI head of culinary services. In addition, an action-packed game of gravity-free spaceball and a few visits to far-off places in a state-of-the-art virtual reality room will engage and captivate the reader. As the StarBridge nears their target exoplanet, the ship is nearly destroyed by a saboteur. Upon arrival, they discover an alien life form unlike any on planet Earth. As they attempt to communicate with this extraterrestrial, prepare yourself for an "e;I never saw that coming!"e; moment. As the story concludes, they head for home, enriched with tons of materials while leaving one crew member behind.