Stephen Baxter is a trained engineer who took a first-class honors degree in mathematics at Cambridge University. He also has a doctorate in aeroengineering research from Southhampton University, and for his degree worked with Rolls Royce Ltd. and at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, UK.
In his research, the author has visited NASA launch centers, viewed a shuttle launch, and interviewed NASA staff, including a mission controller and a space shuttle astronaut. He also researched histories of NASA and its missions, and technical material on spacecraft and boosters.