In this edition of Endnotes, we take a look at The Asteroid Hunter (Grand Central, Mar.) by Dante Lauretta, a behind-the-scenes account of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission. PW gave the book a starred review, saying, "Armchair astronomers should consider this a must read."

Here's how the book came together.

Lauren Sharp, Agent, Aevitas Creative Management

“Dante’s pitch included the lines, ‘There is an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. In 2011, NASA gave me a billion dollars and told me to learn everything there is to know about it. They also want me to bring a piece of it home.’ I was hooked then and there.”

Maddie Caldwell, Agent, Senior Editor, Grand Central Publishing

“I was hooked from the moment I first read the proposal for The Asteroid Hunter, which not only took the reader into the inner workings of a groundbreaking NASA mission but also introduced me to Dante, who is the kind of scientist and thinker I couldn’t help but want to work with. Everyone at Grand Central was enthusiastic, and we won the book in a heated auction.”

Dante S. Lauretta, Author and Principal Investigator for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission

“The book’s journey began with the idea of sharing the incredible journey of OSIRIS-REx with the world. It was important to convey the scientific significance and human stories behind the mission. The writing and revision process involved collaboration with a talented team of editors and designers who helped translate my vision into a cohesive narrative. One of the challenges was finding the right balance between scientific accuracy and engaging storytelling.”

Caitlin Sacks, Senior Designer, Grand Central Publishing

“The giant asteroid on the cover is a concept rendering of what Bennu looks like. There is a subtle glow around the type, to mimic the way stars twinkle in the night sky. The subtitle font is a throwback to vintage sci-fi books, while the title is modern. The balance of contemporary and vintage elements in the type reflects the way the book explores the past, present, and future.”