Based during the time in the US where the computers were women doing the calculations for the space program, the story focuses on one of the computers and her efforts to become an astronaut. The issues of the time period are not shied away from either.

One of my personal squee moments was the reference to the WACs and specifically Jackie Cochran who is one of my real life heroes.

Recommended by Stonekettle on Twitter, I couldn't put them down. While the short was published first, the two novels are prequels that give the short that much more oomph so I'd recommend reading in story chronological order as opposed to published order. Author is Mary Robinette Kowal. Available on Kindle as well as tree pulp.

Thanks for the recommendation! I still have you to thank for the Elizabeth Moon's Serrano series.

Be sure to read her other EMoon's other series too!

Serrano was only the start!