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The co-op bookstore for avid readers
Space Shuttle Stories: Firsthand Astronaut Accounts from All 135 Missions
With more than 600 photos from the NASA archives, this guide is perfect for fans of space history and spaceflight
Winner of the American Astronautical Society's 2023 Eugene M. Emme Award and the International Academy of Astronautics' 2024 Social Sciences Book Award
NASA's space shuttle was the world's first reusable spacecraft, accomplishing many firsts and inspiring generations across its 30-year lifespan as America's iconic spaceship. In Space Shuttle Stories, shuttle astronaut Tom Jones interviewed more than 130 fellow astronauts for personal vignettes from each mission, complemented by their written accounts for all 135 space shuttle missions, from Columbia's maiden flight in 1981 to the final launch of Atlantis in 2011. The book is a major contribution to the historical record of a momentous era of spaceflight.
Each mission profile includes:
- An astronaut narrative that immerses the readers in their personal mission experience
- Data about the mission, crew, launch, landing, duration, and highlights
- Captivating photographs rarely seen by the public
The Space Shuttle program's 6 orbiter vehicles (Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour) carried a total of 355 astronauts into orbit on 135 missions aimed at cutting-edge scientific research, satellite launch, retrieval and repair, collaborative work with the Russian Mir station, the launching and servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope, and the construction of the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Stories focuses on the lived, human experiences of larger-than-life space missions. It's a definitive oral history that captures the importance, wonder, and exhilaration of the Space Shuttle era.
Book Details
- Publisher: Smithsonian Books
- Publish Date: Apr 8th, 2025
- Pages: 320
- Language: English
- Edition: undefined - undefined
- Dimensions: 10.40in - 8.40in - 0.90in - 2.80lb
- EAN: 9781588348036
- Categories: • Space Science - Space Exploration• Aeronautics & Astronautics• Military - Aviation & Space
About the Author
Praise for this book
"From the trepidation and elation surrounding the first shuttle flights to the melancholy pride that covered the final flight of the space shuttle Atlantis, each mission is described with tantalizing details. [...] This delightful compilation of facts, figures, and photography will thrill and educate readers with an interest in the realities of American space travel."
BOOKLIST
"One significant appeal of this book are the many high-quality, full-color photographs: every mission crew and dozens of stunning shots of the shuttle in use. This is an excellent recommendation for fans of the space shuttle and anyone interested in the U.S. space program."
QUEST
Along the way, Space Shuttle Stories paints a picture of astronaut life in the Shuttle era. [...] Readers are left with a much greater appreciation for the capabilities of the Shuttle and the work of the men and women who flew those missions, with many nods to the other people who made their exploits possible. While there are many stories about fun times aboard the Shuttle, the danger and hard work involved in Shuttle missions are also raised."
"Space Shuttle Stories is a great collection of crew reflections for all of the 135 space shuttle missions over three decades. Working on the vehicle design that demonstrated unique capabilities of delivery, retrieval, repair, and construction on orbit was a highlight of my career, and this book is a worthy tribute to that era of space travel." --Fred W. Haise, Enterprise Commander, Apollo 13 astronaut, and author of Never Panic Early
"Astronaut Tom Jones provides readers of all ages with a definitive look into the spirit, challenges, enjoyment, and faith that accompanies Earth-orbit exploration. Space Shuttle Stories takes us inside the lives, the risks, and the dedication of those men and women who are reaching for the stars." --Harrison H. Schmitt, Apollo 17 astronaut and geologist
"Space Shuttle Stories, by former NASA astronaut Tom Jones, is the ultimate account of the space shuttle program from the people who lived it. Different aspects of every one of the 135 missions are presented in vivid detail by crew members from each flight. With incredible technical detail and stunning photos, this book is a must-have for serious space enthusiasts and casual fans alike." --Scott Kelly, retired NASA astronaut and US Navy Captain
"Climb aboard the space shuttle and join the crew for the ride of your life. From my console in Mission Control, I counted the seconds until liftoff, felt the jolt of 7 million pounds of thrust, sweated-out Max-Q and solid rocket booster separation, and breathed a sigh of relief once the shuttle reached orbit. Space shuttle missions were all business and I never relaxed, but during the pad tests and simulations, we had the opportunity to talk, banter, and breathe--similar to what's shared in Space Shuttle Stories. Each of the stand-alone stories provide lighthearted anecdotes of a vastly different side of the crew than the one I experienced while working with them during the mission. Recommended reading!" --Gene Kranz, former NASA Director of Mission Operations and author of Failure Is Not an Option