Book Club: The Cosmic Diary of a Future Space Explorer

The Cosmic Diary of a Future Space Explorer is Blue Peter's Book Club choice for March 2026. Learn more about space travel as it is today, and what it could look like in the future in this exciting non-fiction book written by real-life astronaut Tim Peake.

Abby and the Book Clubbers went to the Space Exhibition in the Science Museum in London, the perfect setting to review a book all about space! She got to know how Tim Peake's fact-driven book inspired their imaginations.

So, what did they think of the book?

"My favourite part was when they were talking about all the different jobs that we could have on the moon."

"What would happen to your body if you went out in space without a suit on... The water on your tongue and eyes would boil. It's gross!"

"My favourite character was CAT (Computerised Astronaut Trainer) because in all of the emergency situations she knew exactly what to do!"

Does that sound great to you? Then make sure you pick up this book to discover more real life science from legendary astronaut, Tim Peake.

Author of The Cosmic Diary of a Future Space Explorer, Tim Peake, dropped in on our Book Club fans to have a look at their model Mars Rovers and have a chat about his experience as an astronaut.

So, what were some of the exciting questions that Tim answered?

Q: How do you get in and out of space?

We travel into space on a rocket, but we're sat in a space craft ontop of the rocket. I was sat in the Soyuz, which took me and two other astronauts up to the International Space Station, and it stays attached to the space station for the whole time that we're up there. It's like our life boat. Then we hop back into it at the end of the mission and come back to Earth!

Q: Do you believe that life is out there? For example... aliens!

I definitely believe in aliens, I think the universe is teeming with life. There are so many billions of stars in our own Milky Way galaxy, so many billions of galaxies in the universe, and we know that everything we need for life is there in abundance out in space.

Q: How do you go to the toilet in space?!

Very important question! We have a tube with a funnel on the top, that's what we pee into. Then we have a normal toilet for when you need a number 2. You have to have good aim and an air flow keeps everything going in the right direction.

But here's the interesting bit, all of our pee gets turned back into drinking water in just SIX hours! So six hours later, when you go for your afternoon cup of tea, you're drinking your morning pee. ☕️

Now that you have galaxies of space knowledge, who knows, you and the rest of the Blue Peter Book Club could be astronauts of the future!

The ultimate book for space fans has landed, read all about it here:

Do you want to know what it's like to be a REAL-LIFE astronaut? If you've ever wanted to blast off into space, you're about to find out everything you need to become an astronaut - and the answers to all the big questions like, how do you wee in space? What can you see from the International Space Station? And how could we build a colony on Mars?

Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to pull on your spacesuit and join your guide, real astronaut Tim Peake (and a host of expert STEM characters) in this fascinating adventure through space, time and the diary of one truly incredible space adventure. Join us for some iconic space adventures, plus discover the voyages we might make in the future...

The book is written by real life astronaut Tim Peake, and Steve Cole. It is illustrated by Max Rambaldi.

You can expect lots of terrifically scientific facts and if you're not already fascinated by space, we're sure that you soon will be! The Cosmic Diary of a Future Space Explorer will answer all the big questions about space exploration, with Tim's own unique experience as an astronaut, the spaceship's 'diary' will take you from the moon, to Mars, and beyond...

Tim Peake was the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station. He is also a bestselling author and loves to share his experience and scientific knowledge in talks to audiences of all ages.

During an incredible career as an army officer and search and rescue instructor, Tim was selected to become an ESA astronaut and went through years of training before being launched to space in 2015.

Did you know, Tim Peake has been on Blue Peter before and has even earned a Gold badge for his achievements both in space and here on Earth. Check out the moment that Lindsey Russell presented Tim Peake with his Gold Badge 10 years ago in 2016 below!

The excitement doesn't stop with The Cosmic Diary of a Future Space Explorer, keep watching Blue Peter to join the Book Club as we'll also be reading lots more incredible books ranging from nature poetry to fantastic fiction!

You can look forward to:

If you loved reading Guardians of the New Moon, or just love reading in general, the Blue Peter Book Club is the place for you!

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