That'll change this month with the publication of Julian Guthrie's new book How to Make a Spaceship.

Writing the book required Guthrie, an award-winning journalist, to immerse herself in the world of aeronautics.

"It was a very steep learning curve for me," Guthrie says in Episode 221 of the Geek's Guide to the Galaxy podcast. "Literally it's rocket science."

The book focuses on Peter Diamandis, who was so driven to get to space that he announced the $10 million X Prize without having any idea where the money was going to come from. The decade-long fundraising crusade that ensued was so full of twists, turns, and nail-biters that Guthrie found it harrowing just to write about. 

"I was like, 'Oh my god, isn't someone ever going to say yes to this guy?'" she says. "It was very stressful."