Órbitas

If you, like me, picked up the book by Sara García Alonso—Spain’s first female astronaut candidate—expecting a technical deep dive into the European Space Agency (ESA), the rigors of astronaut training, or the secrets of aerospace engineering, I have a heads-up for you: this book is something entirely different. Órbitas (Orbits) is, first and foremost, an exercise in introspection. The author invites us on a journey through her own identity, structured into six "orbits"—or stages—that trace her personal growth, her fears, and her constant curiosity. Summary Rather than a traditional biography or a popular science manual, the book is a hybrid of personal essay, memoir, and brief fictional vignettes used as metaphors. Sara reflects on the process of making life decisions, dealing with imposter syndrome, maintaining resilience in the face of uncertainty, and the importance of not limiting ourselves to a single role in life. Chapter-by-Chapter Key Points The book is divided into six chapters that function as thematic blocks: - Identity and Labels: An exploration of why we feel the need to define ourselves (e.g., "Am I a biologist?" or "Am I an astronaut?") and how priorities shift over time. - Fear: An analysis of how to face the things that paralyze us, ranging from everyday anxieties to the challenges that push us entirely out of our comfort zones. - Decision Making: Reflections on the uncertainty following a PhD and the winding professional path, debunking the idea that there must be one single, linear goal in life. - Defying Convention: A look at societal expectations and the importance of following your own curiosity, even when it seems like you are veering off the "normal" path. - Expanding Limits: How humans manage physical and mental pressure in high-stakes, high-demand situations. - Space and the Future: The chapter where science and the life of an astronaut finally take center stage. Here, she explores research in microgravity, the impact of space on biomedicine, and the realities of the ESA selection process. My Takeaways and Final Verdict To be completely honest, if you are looking for a technical book or a chronicle focused solely on the aerospace industry, this book might feel slow or even disappointing. For readers interested primarily in the "astronaut side" of Sara, much of the narrative feels more like a self-help or personal philosophy book. While inspiring, it isn't exactly what I was hoping to find in the science section. However, the final chapter is an absolute gem. It is where the author finally connects with the topics that interested me most: the ESA environment, the reality of being a reserve astronaut, and the fascination with space research. That closing chapter compensates for a lot of the preceding pages and makes you realize that if the book had maintained that "space-focused" tone throughout, it would have been an essential read for any space enthusiast. Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) Although it wasn't the book I expected, I appreciate the author’s honesty and the quality of her writing. I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars; while the heavy focus on personal development wasn't my cup of tea, the literary quality and that excellent final chapter salvage the experience. It is a recommended read if you are interested in personal growth and the story of a pioneering woman, but be aware that the "space" content is just one part of her "orbits." 🔗Links