Overview

The real-life techno-thriller from a bestselling author and aviation expert that recaptures the historic moments leading up to the launch of the space shuttle Columbia and the exciting story of her daring maiden flight. Using interviews, NASA oral histories, and recently declassified material, Into the Black pieces together the dramatic untold story of the Columbia mission and the brave people who dedicated themselves to help the United States succeed in the age of space exploration. On April 12, 1981, NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia blasted off from Cape Canaveral. It was the most advanced, state-of-the-art flying machine ever built, challenging the minds and imagination of America's top engineers and pilots. Columbia was the world's first real spaceship: a winged rocket plane, the size of an airliner, and capable of flying to space and back before preparing to fly again. On board were moonwalker John Young and test pilot Bob Crippen. Less than an hour after Young and Crippen's spectacular departure from the Cape, all was not well. Tiles designed to protect the ship from the blowtorch burn of re-entry were missing from the heat shield. If the damage to Columbia was too great, the astronauts wouldn't be able to return safely to earth. NASA turned to the National Reconnaissance Office, a spy agency hidden deep inside the Pentagon whose very existence was classified. To help the ship, the NRO would attempt something never done before. Success would require skill, perfect timing, and luck. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Into the Black is a thrilling race against time and the incredible true story of the first space shuttle mission that celebrates our passion for spaceflight.

Full Product Details

9781501123627

Table of Contents

Reviews

Beautifully researched and written, Into The Black tells the true, complete story of the Space Shuttle better than it's ever been told before. --Col. Chris Hadfield, astronaut, author, Space Station commander

This account ofAmerica's greatest and, in hindsight, most dangerous manned spaceflight is afantastic read. After I started it, I read it straight through. For more thanspaceflight geeks, this is the story of an astonishing adventure that, despitethe outward confidence of NASA, could have and perhaps should have gonehorribly wrong. --Homer Hickam, author Rocket Boys/October Sky

An unforgettable book, one destined to become a classic in the emerging field of space history. Moving effortlessly from planning meetings in obscure offices within NASA, the Pentagon, and industry to the unforgiving environment of high-risk flight test and flight into space, this book traces a remarkable journey and, along the way, introduces his readers to a courageous group of far-seeing engineers and astronauts whose bold vision and tenacious work gave humanity its first reusable space transportation system. --Dr. Richard P. Hallion, Senior Adviser for Air and Space Issues at the Pentagon, author of On the Frontier

Intothe Black told me stuff I never knew before - and I worked at NASA for 30years. --Michael Foale, former Astronaut and International Space Station Commander

This remarkable book describes the final (and unpublished) chapter in the 'Race to the Moon'! Between 1961 and 1963, four groups of astronauts were selected by the USA -- three groups were comprised of those pilots who were assigned to NASA and were highly publicized as men who explored the Moon. The fourth group disappeared into the black world of the CIA, the NRO, and the Top Secret Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory. This is the exciting first-told story of these exceptional pilots who only became known publicly during the development and first flights of the Space Shuttle flights into the real Black of Space.--Dave Scott, Commander, Apollo 15

Author Information

ROWLAND WHITE is the author of three bestselling books of military history: Vulcan 607; Phoenix Squadron; Storm Front. He lives in Cambridgeshire with his wife and three children.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available