Alyssa Carson has been training to go to space since she was five years old. By nineteen, she became an aquanaut, skydiver, pilot, global speaker, and the youngest person to graduate from the Advanced Space Academy. Her goal is to be on the first mission to Mars, which is projected for the early 2030s.

In Ready for Liftoff, she reflects on her journey so far, discussing hard-won achievements, mental and physical training, academics, and guidance offered to her by mentors from organizations such as NASA and Space Camp. With this unique guide based on her own substantial experience, she answers her most-asked question: "How can I become an astronaut?"

Carson seeks to inspire young adults everywhere, no matter what their dream may be, and to lay the foundation for other astronaut-hopefuls so they may pursue their own paths with confidence.