The Space Shuttle Program : how NASA lost its way / R. Michael Gordon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gordon, R. Michael, 1952-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Space Shuttle Program (U.S.).

Space shuttles--Accidents--United States.

Space shuttles.

Space shuttles--Accidents.

Decision making.

Evaluation.

Reliability.

United States.

Space shuttles--United States--Reliability.

Space Shuttle Program (U.S.)--Evaluation.

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration--Decision making.

Physical Description:

viii, 346 pages : illustrations, map ; 26 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co., [2008]

Summary:

"This critical study of NASA's space shuttle program provides an in-depth examination of the events, decisions, and policies that may have contributed to the horrific destruction of the shuttles Challenger and Columbia"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Section I Problems in Development

1 In the Beginning 5

2 A History of Success? The Solids 39

Section II Countdown to Disaster

3 51-C: Too Cold for the Military 55

4 1985 Was Not a Good Year 68

5 Pre-Flight: Dangers Not Seen 84

Section III Challenger's Final Mission

6 A Cold Morning Like No Other 93

7 The Final Ascent: The Flight of Challenger 106

8 Post-Flight Operations 129

Section IV Investigations and Recovery

9 The Challenger Investigation 153

10 Unanswered Questions: Beyond the Commission 171

11 Recovery for Flight? STS-26 179

Section V From Challenger to Columbia

12 Beyond the Recovery: Was It Really Fixed? 199

13 The Fall of Space Shuttle Columbia 210

14 On the Road Again 236

Section VI The Future of Manned Spaceflight

15 A Look to the Future 247

Appendix I Shuttle Flights Pre-Challenger Disaster 253

Appendix II The Flights of Columbia 263

Appendix III The Mission and Crew of Challenger 51-L 267

Appendix IV The Crew of Columbia STS-107 278

Appendix V Personal Observations on the Reliability of the Shuttle by Dr. Richard P. Feynman 280

Appendix VI The Columbia Emails: Opportunities Missed 288

Appendix VII Mission 51-L Press Kit 296.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 331-340) and index.

ISBN:

9780786434343

0786434341

OCLC:

173240852