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Plunging back to Earth after a 16-day science mission, the shuttle Columbia streaked through orbital darkness at 5 miles per second, fast enough to fly from Chicago to New York in two and a half minutes and to circle the entire planet in an hour and a half. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Plunging back to Earth after a 16-day science mission, the shuttle Columbia streaked through orbital darkness at 5 miles per second, fast enough to fly from Chicago to New York in two and a half minutes and to circle the entire planet in an hour and a half. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was sitting at home on February 1st 2003. Like many spaceflight addicts, I was watching NASA TV via webcast.
25 minutes before the scheduled landing of Columbia I went outside for a few minutes, only to be called back in by my girlfriend. "They've lost contact with the shuttle", she said. I am used to "Comm drop-outs" during the re-entry phase of a spaceflight, so I wasn't unduly worried.
However, when I returned and started listening to the NASA commentary I realised something was very wrong. Memories of the Challenger accident flashed through my mind and I knew it wasn't going to be a very good day.
This book reviews the events leading up to that day, decisions taken before and during the mission that led, ultimately, to the deaths of 7 astronauts and the destruction of Columbia. The actual events are described very well, and the reader gets a definite sense of the tragedy "unfolding" in real-time.
The authors touch a lot on the culture of management at NASA and how it affected decision making (and some of the similarities in the management of the programme that were there before Challenger)It looks into the process of the investigation, the findings and the recommendations. In short, if you've read the CAIB report, this book lays those facts out, in an easy to understand way.
The book also tells the story of individuals involved in both the decision making process at NASA and the reader is left in little doubt about some of the causes and effects that led to the accident.
In a more "human" way, the book is emotive. To many, I guess, the astronauts were just another seven people going into space, on a "routine" flight. For those of us who live and breathe the space programme they were pioneers, pushing the boundaries of exploration, as all who have ventured above our atmosphere have done. And there is nothing "routine" about going into space. The book gives a good snapshot of who the crew were and leaves one with a sense of both sadness and admiration.
Columbia is, and will always be the "gem of this new ocean". Godspeed the crew of STS-107.
Format:Paperback
I have to admit this book is very depressing to read as it re-lives the whole mission. I didnt get through all of it but I know those who are interested in the fine details will have a good time reading this one.
5 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having been a big NASA fan ever since my first Kennedy visit in 1981 I have followed the Shuttle missions with much interest. I have bought books, patches and other NASA items and have been on the search for a book about Columbia.
In January 2003 we visited Kennedy on the day before we were due to leave to find out that Columbia STS 107 would be lifting off the next day. So we stayed in an expensive hotel (normally a reasonable hotel) and woke up at the first light to travel to Jetty Park in Titusville. I would love to descibe the take off but you need more than 1000 words! Needless to say it was out of this world! Just over 2 weeks later we heard the devastating news about Columbia. To be able to read, to be able to try and understand what happened is a priviledge, this book covers everything from before lift off to after the tragedy to the piecing together. A very informative book.
Go COLUMBIA!
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