Mary Robinette Kowal 
Fated Sky 

The Second in the Nebula and Locus Award-Winning Series One large step for humankind…It’s 1961, and the Earth’s gaze is turning to Mars. The Moon colony is well established, but tensions are rising on Earth-both from those who see themselves being left behind on a disaster-laden planet, and those who don’t believe in equality for all. But even with personal sacrifices and political tensions, Elma York, the Lady Astronaut, dearly wants to go on the first mission to Mars-despite everything that stands in her way.