On september 17, 1976, nasa publicly unveils its first space shuttle, the. The history of the national space transportation system. From its first launch 30 years ago to its final mission scheduled for next friday, nasas space shuttle program has seen moments of dizzying. The space shuttle was a spacecraft which was used by the american national aeronautics and space administration, or nasa. Replete with images and facts of each mission and crew, this book is a tribute to everything accomplished during the 30 years of operation of the space shuttle program that defined nasa for an entire generation. It was a new kind of spacecraft because it could be used again and again. In 1977, the enterprise became the first space shuttle to fly freely when it was lifted to a. Written by fourtime space shuttle flyer tom jones, the book features nearly 400 different questions and answers on just about every facet of his. May 11, 2001 although an old book measured in time, this book is still current and one of the most accurate books on the space shuttle. During the 30 years and 5 missions in between, the program experienced triumphs and tragedies, amazed the world with its orbital exploits, and was frequently the subject of admiration, condemnation, pride, and despair.
Jenkins offers a comprehensive and engaging story of the development of the us space shuttle, its operational characteristics, and the work done during its first 100 missions. Feb 17, 2018 space shuttle reusable low earth orbital spacecraft the three parts that made up the space shuttle were the orbiter the part that resembled an aeroplane, the large orange external tank and the 2. The disaster was the second fatal accident in the space shuttle program, after the 1986 breakup of challenger soon after liftoff. This book is meant for a more general audience and includes a short history of the space shuttle program, a twopage article on each of the 5 missions, a brief description of the two accidents, and an overview of the retirement activities at the end of the program. This guide begins with brief discussions of the space environment, the history of spacewalking, nasas current spacesuit, and work that astronauts do during spacewalks. Nasas space shuttle program officially began in 1972, but its roots go all the way back to a nazi concept vehicle from the 1930s. This illustrated book marks a special moment in history. This amazing book documents the history of the space shuttle program by collecting anecdotes and reminiscences from the astronauts and some remarkable. National aeronautics and space administration nasa as part of the space shuttle program. Flag, space shuttle, discovery national air and space museum. This book was a required text for a graduatelevel space class i took a few years ago. The untold story of a lost space shuttle and her crew, a grimly captivating new history of the loss of. Space shuttle simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The history of the space shuttle takes you on a unique journey through the triumphs and tragedy of the shuttle program, from the earliest design and testing to the historic final launch. Redefining humanitys purpose in space new haven, ct. The reallife technothriller 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. The space shuttle endeavour glides back to earth on jan. Cargo such as satellites, parts of a space station or scientific instruments were taken up into space by the space shuttle. Florida historical quarterly a major contribution to a difficult episode in the history of human. While not vast, the literature on the history of the space shuttle is now large enough to permit assessment. This flag belonged to dennis jenkins, a consulting aerospace engineer for the space shuttle program, and author of space shuttle. To accompany the last flights of the shuttle, im reading again shuttlerelated books, including dennis jenkins space shuttle the history of developing the national space transportatation system the beginning through sts75. The nasa space shuttle challenger exploded on january 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after liftoff, bringing a devastating end to the spacecrafts 10th mission. Space shuttles were used to carry astronauts and cargo into space.
Jenkins, 9780764357701, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The flight campaign for the american space shuttle began on april 12, 1981, with the launch of sts1 from the kennedy space center, florida, and ended on july 21, 2011, with wheels stop of sts5. Using interviews, nasa oral histories, and recently declassified material, into the black pieces together the dramatic untold story of the columbia mission. They were the main element of nasas space transportation system, and were used for scientific research and space applications, such as deploying and repairing satellites. The space shuttle was a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft system operated by the u.
A remarkable flying machine is a nasa documentary of the first space shuttle mission. It has information about all about the space shuttle flights. The quest to get photos of the ussrs first space shuttle. Schiffer publishing the history of the american space shuttle the flight campaign for the american space shuttle began on april 12, 1981, with the launch of sts1 from the kennedy space center, florida, and ended on july 21, 2011, with wheels stop of sts5. The missions of the space shuttle discovery by robert a. The space shuttle challenger was the most heavily used space shuttle in the three years it was operational, carrying the first minority astronaut and woman astronaut into space.
Jenkins book on the history of the space transportation system, colloquially known as the space shuttle reaches both forward and backwards into the history behind the idea. History of the space shuttle space shuttle history was made with the first shuttle flight in 1981. The history of the american space shuttle book, 2019. At the very back of the book is a space shuttle log. The history of the national space transportation system, a definitive book detailing the development and first 100 flights, of the space shuttles. Commemorating 30 years of space shuttle exploration, this beautifully designed photography book by graphic designerauthor luke wesley price, comprises some of the most breath taking and aweinspiring nasa images from the space shuttles 30 year service history, ever. May 21, 2019 best spaceflight and space history books. This book is an incredibly detailed exploration of history of the development of the space transportation system aka space shuttle.
The space shuttle program was suspended and then, in 1993, canceled by boris yeltsin, the first postsoviet russian president. Its official program name was space transportation system sts, taken from a 1969 plan for a system of reusable spacecraft of which it was the only item funded for development. Best spaceflight and space history books to read in 2019 space. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The first 100 missions is one of the most amazing technical books on space vehicles ever printed. The apollo space program is the most famous and celebrated in american history, but the first successful landing of men on the moon, during apollo 11, had complicated roots dating back over a decade. Bringing columbia home is a grimly captivating new. This is a concise history of the american space shuttle program to appeal to a more general audience than the specialized books that are. National aeronautics and space administration nasa.
Developing an icon is primarily meant to be a reference set aimed at space history enthusiasts, but earlier versions attracted a layman audience, so this one may appeal to a wider audience, according to jenkins. A fine collection of materials relating to each space shuttle mission including an. The book provides a retrospective of all 4 space shuttle missions, including the shuttles final flight. The space shuttle challenger disaster that occurred on january 28, 1986, marked one of the most devastating days in the history of space exploration. Mar 24, 2015 theres no denying that into the black is one of the most comprehensive books about the first space shuttle flight, which makes it double unfortunate the book doesnt quite deliver on its promise. The information in this section is compiled and updated by the jsc projects offices flight engineering and vehicle management office.
Commemorating 30 years of space shuttle exploration, this beautifully designed photography book by graphic designerauthor luke wesley price, comprises some of the most breath taking and aweinspiring nasa images from the space shuttles 30 year service history, ever to be published in one impressive collection. The book begins with a history of some pioneering work by germans in wwii and follows the history of the development of the concept of the shuttle, how contracts were awarded to aerospace firms, and how the actual shuttle was built. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Apollo was the seventh manned mission in the apollo space program 19611975 and the third lunar landing mission, though the three astronauts aboard never reached the. The nasa history of manned lunar spacecraft to 1969. Nasa and its aerospace industry contractors continued engineering studies through january and february of 1972. Best spaceflight and space history books to read in 2019. This is a great book on the history of the space shuttle. When nasa began work on what became the space shuttle at the end of the apollo program, few recognized how important a part of american life it would become over the next thirtyplus years. Jul 17, 2015 book news recounts the decision to launch. The history and legacy of nasas most notorious tragedy was very informative. During the flight, hot gases escaped from the oring and made it break apart. Jun 12, 2017 finally, a new book on the cultural history of the space shuttle may be found in spaceflight in the shuttle era and beyond.
The space shuttle is a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft system that was operated. Celebrating thirty years of nasa s first space plane. Matthew hersch, author of inventing the american astronaut. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Presidential direction to pursue shuttle on january 5, 1972, president richard m. Space shuttle columbia lifts off from kennedy space center, on april 12, 1981. Mar, 2020 space shuttle, partially reusable rocketlaunched vehicle designed to go into orbit around earth, to transport people and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft, and to glide to a runway landing on its return to earths surface. This book provides a detailed overview of the history of winged spacecraft and the development of the vehicle we call the space shuttle, and provides a. Learn the history of the space shuttle, including the challenger and columbia disasters. The amount of historical, technical, and operational information packed into these couple hundred pages is amazing. Nasa unveils its first space shuttle, the enterprise history. The space shuttle is a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft system that was operated from 1981 to 2011 by the u.
Space shuttle columbia lifted off on april 12, 1981, and stayed in orbit for about two days. The space shuttle was developed by nasa as a partially reusable low earth orbital spacecraft. This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference. Commander john young and pilot robert crippen were onboard. There are some chapters, including most of the first book, that are actually a continual story, jenkins said. National aeronautics and space administration nasa, as pairt o. Space shuttle reusable low earth orbital spacecraft the three parts that made up the space shuttle were the orbiter the part that resembled an. Nasas space shuttle was unlike any other spacecraft built during the 30 years the program was in operation. This is an annotated bibliography of historical books, articles, and studies about the space shuttle, originally published in 1992.
Commander john young and pilot robert crippen were onboard sts1, the first orbital flight of the space shuttle program. Mcdonald s book is, like the shuttle itself, a massive, complex, and fascinating work. During the 30 years and 5 missions in between, the program experienced triumphs and tragedies. Basic information about each mission in the space shuttle. But the thrust of the book is the development of floridas space coast.
Although an old book measured in time, this book is still current and one of the most accurate books on the space shuttle. Part 2 is available as monographs in aerospace history, no. Challenger was also the first space shuttle to complete a landing at night. The nasa space shuttle program was designed as a way to send nasa astronauts into space at a lower cost than prior programs, because for the first time the space shuttle. The real shortcoming of the book is its failure to examine. From the title to the cover and the quotes from big names like chris hadfield, into the black appears to deliver a nailbiter about a shuttle flight. Jul 01, 2011 space shuttle columbia lifts off from kennedy space center, on april 12, 1981. The space shuttle challenger disaster occurred on january 28, 1986, when the nasa space shuttle challenger broke up 73 seconds after liftoff. Given the books scope and valerie neals status as a space shuttle expert, spaceflight in the shuttle era and beyond is certain to become a resource for all those interested in space history. This book includes a short biography of each of the shuttle challenger astronauts and a briefer biography of the members of the rogers commission. Challenger, the investigation of the accident, and the return of the shuttle to space flight. Price continued following the space shuttles exploits while diving into the history of human space exploration, all the way back to the mercury.
This role follows more than two decades of ibm support to a variety of nasa space programs, including every manned space flight. A fine collection of materials relating to each space shuttle mission including an impressive collection of images. Celebrating 30 years of the space shuttle program u. This is the first book to cover specifically the history of the space shuttle discovery, the most storied orbiter in the fleet. The space shuttle columbia disaster was a fatal incident in the united states space program that occurred on february 1, 2003, when the space shuttle columbia ov102 disintegrated as it reentered the atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. Shuttle operational data book nasa human space flight. The untold story of a lost space shuttle and her crew, a grimly captivating new history of the loss of the space columbia with all hands on feb. Dennis r jenkins the flight campaign for the american space shuttle began on april 12, 1981, with the launch of sts1 from the kennedy space center, florida, and ended on july 21, 2011, with wheels stop of sts5. Nasas space shuttle orbiters were the first spacecraft capable of routinely launching into orbit like rockets and then returning to earth as gliders. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Bringing columbia home is a grimly captivating new history. The space shuttle wis a pairtially reuisable law yird orbital spacecraft seestem operatit bi the u.
Jun 28, 2011 nasas space shuttle program officially began in 1972, but its roots go all the way back to a nazi concept vehicle from the 1930s. Sts4, the final mission of space shuttle endeavour. It was developed by nasa and made 5 spaceflights between 1981 and 2011. The cause of the explosion was a part called an oring that broke in the right solid rocket booster. These are followed by a design brief that challenges students to design a spacesuit prototype for a mission to mars and classroom activities. Space shuttle, partially reusable rocketlaunched vehicle designed to go into orbit around earth, to transport people and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft, and to glide to a runway landing on its return to earths surface. It has a complete history from the very first thinkings of a winged reusable aerospace plane to the time of the 100th space shuttle mission conducted in october 2000. Photo book honors nasas space shuttle program space. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Ibm and the space shuttle ibm computers have played a key role in each space shuttle mission from liftoff to landing. Oprahs book club quickly became a hugely influential force in the publishing. The history of nasa s two most notorious disasters by charles river editors aug 1, 2016 3. The shuttle program will end when atlantis touches down next.
Webb, nasa, and the secret history of project apollo and island in the sky. The articles included in the first volume were judged to be most essential for researchers writing on the space shuttle s history. Nixon announced that nasa would proceed with the development of a reusable low cost space shuttle system. Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. Operational missions launched numerous satellites, conducted. Although i enjoyed this book, it bills itself as a complete history of the shuttle, not just a technical history. Just over a minute after the space shuttle lifted off, a malfunction in the spacecrafts oringsrubber seals that separated its rocket boosterscaused a fire to start that destabilized the. Apollo was the seventh manned mission in the apollo space program 19611975 and the third lunar landing mission, though the three astronauts aboard never reached the moon and scrambled to.
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