Susan Kilrain

In Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit, Susan Kilrain takes readers on a gripping and inspiring journey through the trials that shaped her extraordinary career. From the relentless demands of aerospace engineering and elite flight training to her service as a US Navy test pilot, earning a place among the first women to fly the F-14 Tomcat, she charts a path marked with grit, courage, and unshakable resolve, ultimately leading to the greatest challenge of her life—becoming the youngest person to pilot a space shuttle.

Alongside her story of professional milestones, Kilrain writes candidly about the personal victories and setbacks that unfolded behind the scenes, including navigating the delicate balance between family life and one of the world’s most demanding careers. Through honest reflection, she explores her confrontation with obstacles such as gender bias and institutional resistance as well as her inner battles with doubt and fear.

Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit delivers a powerful reminder that with vision, determination, and the courage to keep going, the sky is no limit—it’s an invitation.

An Unlikely Astronaut tells the true story of how Astronaut Susan Kilrain overcame all obstacles to achieve her dream of flying in space after growing up in a time when, as a woman, it seemed nearly impossible. The youngest person and one of only three women to have ever piloted the space shuttle, her story of unwavering determination will encourage children to reach for the stars even if the odds are against them.

Readers can further engage with Susan’s journey using the book’s Click & See™ interactivity that enhances the reading experience with photos and videos from her life and career. Teachers will also appreciate the available free space-related activities and exercises that satisfy basic common core curriculum requirements in math, science, and English language arts.