Chapter 1 LET’S DO THIS I can see Venus in the sky right now Allison said We were on a video call Allison was home in Colorado where I used to live I was orbiting Venus in a spaceship I can see it too I said taking in the view of the cloud covered planet from my pod From what I’ve read the planet is a pretty nasty place Allison said That’s what everyone says but so far all I’ve been able to see are really thick clouds covering it It looks like a big blurry snowball floating in space What are you guys going to do there she asked Mom says we’ll do a bunch of experiments to help
learn more about Venus I replied We always have a mix of scientists and tourists on the ship with us on our missions and this mission was no different The kids on my team were a girl named Yasmin and a boy named Lin Yasmin was nine and Lin was twelve They were picked specifically for the trip to Venus in a competition run by Mrs Sosa Kids from all over the country sent in videos explaining why they should be given the opportunity to go to Venus I didn’t see the videos they sent in but Mrs Sosa said Yasmin’s and Lin’s were the most impressive Hey guys Allison said as Yasmin and Lin cruised into my room hanging on to the cruisers we use to move around the station Allison and I had talked so much on the way to Venus that Yasmin and Lin sort of knew her too They waved and then Lin said Starr your mom is looking for you
She said we’re almost ready to run our first experiment Yasmin added Allison I’ll talk to you later We’ve got to go I said and then the three of us cruised off to find Mom She was in the first place we looked the control room Cozzie sat on her lap his hands on the controls Hey Starr Cozzie shouted Mom let me steer the ship Can you believe that Mom winked and nodded That’s right Your little brother just steered the most advanced spacecraft in the history of mankind It was easy Cozzie said sweetly Yasmin Lin and I giggled I hope you’re all ready for our first experiment on Venus Mom said We’re not going down there are we I asked cautiously
Of course not Mom exclaimed I was relieved Venus is the second planet from the Sun The temperature is usually over 800 degrees Fahrenheit It’s one of the most dangerous places in the entire solar system My brother Apollo cruised in He was going way too fast as usual Apollo how many times have I told you to slow down on your cruiser Mom asked My dad was right behind him and going just as fast on his cruiser They had been racing Sorry Dad said Mom didn’t look pleased You too she asked looking even more frustrated We were just having a little fun Oh boy and I forgot to bring my video equipment I’ll be right back he added and zoomed out as quickly as he zoomed in
