BadAsstronauts

More about the book

From the bestselling author known for blending horror and humor, this novella dives into the world of backyard rocket enthusiasts aiming for low Earth orbit. In Melville, South Carolina, a town struggling with financial despair, there are no astronauts left—only one stranded on the abandoned International Space Station after a failed mission. With NASA's budget slashed, the government turns a blind eye to this embarrassing situation, leaving the astronaut to face a grim fate. However, his cousin Walter Reddie, a disgraced former Shuttle Program member, refuses to let him die in space. Fueled by vodka and determination, Walter sets out to build a rocket himself. Defying laws, logic, and common sense, Walter attracts a motley crew of misfits—drifters, dreamers, science enthusiasts, and those disillusioned by the idea that space is only for the wealthy. Together, they transform Walter's rundown farm into a haven for aspiring astronauts. Yet, their journey is fraught with danger; they risk explosions, arrests, and chaos before they can even think about reaching orbit. Originally published in 2012 as Occupy Space, this revised edition includes a new introduction by the author.