A six-year-old schoolgirl is reaching for the stars after writing a book inspired by her dreams of space travel.
Vaishika Satheshwaran, a pupil at Pearl Academy in Abu Dhabi, longs to follow in the footsteps of her hero Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space.
While her friends are glued to cartoons, the Indian youngster spends hours watching videos from space agencies across the world.
The pupil wrote a 26-page book titled My Dream Journey to Space, in which a young girl, much like herself, takes a journey into space.
Her book is available on Amazon and copies have been sold in the US, UK, India, and the UAE.
“It has always been my dream to go to space and this book has allowed me to combine my two dreams of becoming an author and an astronaut," Vaishika said.
“My friends have been so supportive. One of my friends says she loves the book so much, she reads it every day.
"I can’t wait to start writing more books, which will all be about space and, most importantly, about gratitude and kindness."
Vaishika spends most of her time watching documentaries and reading books about space.
Her story takes readers on a journey into space, making facts exciting and memorable for all ages.
"This is the first book I have had published and it was my idea," she said.
"The book is about a little girl like myself who dreams of going to space.
"It narrates fun facts. For example, tears don’t fall in space and float around like a tiny tennis ball. Or, we can’t eat anything that has crumbs in space. For this reason, astronauts love to eat peanut butter."
The book is aimed at children aged between 6 and 10 who want to learn scientific facts such as what to take into space, how one lives and works in space, and how to carry out scientific experiments.
Vaishika, much like adult authors, did her research, watched documentaries and read four books on space before sitting down to write her book.
Vaishika said she was inspired by the UAE’s mission to Mars.
Brindha Satheshwaran, Vaishika's mother, said her daughter started reading and writing at the age of four, and has not looked back since.
Vaishika has written five books so far, but this is the first to be published.
"This book is in her words. I am sure children between the ages of 5 and 10 will love it," Ms Satheshwaran said.
"She added all the facts that inspired her."
Vaishika's parents decided to publish the 26-page book themselves.
It is available on Amazon now and priced at Dh96 for a hardback book and Dh61 for a paperback.
Vaishika wrote the book by herself while her mother helped with spelling.
She said her science teacher helped her while her principal motivated her.
“I am so proud of this amazing achievement, as well as being a great book, it is a wonderful example of Vaishika's skill and determination," said Abigale Fishbourne, principal at The Pearl Academy.
UAE Mars mission inspires next generation:
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The Hope probe launches from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20. AFP -
It will take the spacecraft, which later detached from the rocket, about 200 days to reach the Red Planet, arriving in February 2021. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
The launch of the rocket is captured on video at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
The first homegrown Arab space mission drew in interest from across the globe. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries -
Waiting for the launch in the morning light. MHI Launch Services twitter -
Emirati journalists clap as they watch the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP -
A broadcasting of the launch of the Hope Mars probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP -
An Emirati man wipes a tear away with his face mask while watching the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP -
Mohammed Al Mannaee, an announcer with Dubai TV, reacts as he watches the launch. AP -
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre -
The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at at the Tanegashima Space Centre. -
Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre -
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP -
Solid rocket booster (SRB-A) was separated after burnout during the launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, are recorded by cameras onboard the rocket after the lauch from Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS -
A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP -
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: MHI Launch Services -
Omran Sharaf, the project director for the Hope space probe, speaks on his mobile phone at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP -
Sarah Al Ameeri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences of United Arab Emirates, celebrates with Naohiko Abe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Senior Vice President, Head of Integrated Defence and Space Systems, after the successful launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, at Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS -
Emiratis are pictured at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai ahead of the expected launch of the "Hope" Mars probe from Japan. AFP -
The weather was clear over Tanegashima Island in southern Japan on Sunday after weeks of rain and cloudy conditions. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office -
Emirati engineers wave in a picture taken on Sunday from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission / UAE Space Agency -
The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Screengrab courtesy MHI Launch Services
