I love this saga even though I have read it out of order and still have to read books 3 and 4. Saying this each book can stand alone and there is enough in each book on other characters to do this. Mind you you it's hard to stop at one. The only small Grrr!!.. moment is saying that Honeysuckle not Parkes got the first fist signal from Apollo 11. Jackie French saying it hard to prove since the Honeysuckle records where thrown out and 'The Dish' may not be correct. I hate to say but Parkes Radio Telescope records still exist with the CSRIO and I have had work experience at the telescope. Use more than one resource. Now I have had my beef (or lamb read book for reference) that character development was fantastic and like with rest of saga the lead female character is someone everyone should look up to. Some plot points can be predicted some can't. One chapter brought me tears and I had to take a break to let emotions go. Again another book that has brought back memories of my life. Unsure if this is the last or if there is more but time will let us know. Please read you will not be disappointed.