The Lady Astronaut
Beginning with The Calculating Stars, this alternate history series imagines a world where a meteorite strikes Earth in the 1950s, accelerating climate change and sparking a race to colonize space. Elma York, a mathematician and pilot, battles sexism to become the first Lady Astronaut. The series explores gender, race, anxiety, and scientific innovation while maintaining historical detail and hope-filled optimism. With sequels like The Fated Sky and companion novellas, The Lady Astronaut series blends emotional resonance with retrofuturist space exploration.
Mary Robinette Kowal’s The Calculating Stars launches the Lady Astronaut series with an alternate history twist. After a meteorite strike accelerates climate change in the 1950s, Earth faces a ticking clock—and humanity must turn to space. Elma York, a former WWII pilot and mathematician, fights against sexism and prejudice to become the first female astronaut. Combining hard science, historical realism, and social commentary, the novel explores ambition, anxiety, and resilience in the face of global catastrophe. Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards, it’s a thrilling and empowering story about breaking barriers and reaching for the stars.