Book, 2001 A Space Odyssey, STS-98

Astronaut Thomas D. Jones took this book with him on the first Space Shuttle mission of 2001, STS-98 on Atlantis. Jones first read a paperback edition of the novel at age 13 after seeing the film in 1968. Like many fans of this futuristic film, Jones had re-read the book and watched the movie many times, finding inspiration in its depiction of space travel. Because 2001 A Space Odyssey had influenced him to become an astronaut, he bought this hardbound version in 2000 to take on his upcoming spaceflight. Upon learning of the book’s 2001 flight, author Arthur C. Clarke later sent Jones a signed bookplate for the flyleaf. Jones gave this book to the Museum in 2016.