Author
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Topic: Recommendations for books about the space shuttle
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UKRuss2 Member Posts: 34 From: UK Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 06-13-2007 09:12 AM
A life-long Mercury/Gemini/Apollo enthusiast I have read pretty much everything on that era.I have never been interested in the Space Shuttle era until I read Mike Mullane's outstanding 'Riding Rockets'. Can anyone recommend any other good books about the space shuttle or written by shuttle astronauts? |
Jim Member Posts: 73 From: San Antonio TX Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 06-13-2007 12:44 PM
"Sky Walking' by Tom Jones |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-13-2007 12:53 PM
- "Entering Space" by Joe Allen, Stuart, Tabori, and Chang, 1984
- "An Astronaut's Diary" by Jeffrey Hoffman, Caliban Press, 1986
- "Mission: An American Congressman's Voyage to Space" by Bill Nelson, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988
- "Reflections from Earth Orbit" by Winston Scott, C.G. Publishing (Apogee), 2005
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FFrench Member Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-13-2007 01:25 PM
I love the Hoffman book, although it is hard to get hold of these days.Here is another written by shuttle astronauts - nice, as there are many of them contributing. |
spacecraft guy Member Posts: 37 From: San Francisco, CA USA Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 06-13-2007 06:18 PM
Not written by an astronaut but very good about how a shuttle crew assembled and trained is: Before Lift-Off - Henry S.F. Cooper, Johns Hopkins University Press One of the best books about the shuttle program that I've read, and a great companion book to Riding Rockets. |
Lunatiki Member Posts: 237 From: Amarillo, TX, USA Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 06-13-2007 06:20 PM
Although not actually by astronauts, I'd highly recommend Space Shuttle: The First 20 years. The Astronauts' Experiences In Their Own Words by the editors of Air & Space/Smithsonian Magazine. Its a big hardback book, with great images. For great technical information, Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System by Dennis R. Jenkins. Excellent reference material. |
UKRuss2 Member Posts: 34 From: UK Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 06-14-2007 05:48 PM
Many thanks for the suggestions. Several titles now on order. |
alanh_7 Member Posts: 1252 From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-14-2011 07:04 AM
What would be considered the definitive book about the space shuttle. Has it been written yet?I have always thought Dennis Jenkins' book "Space Shuttle: The First 100 Missions" might be considered but is there another? I would be interested in the forum's opinion. Editor's note: Threads merged. |
garymilgrom Member Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 07-14-2011 07:21 AM
I'm not sure one book can cover a 30 year program, even longer when you consider the design and development. The book you mention is very good, here are some others: - The two books on the design by T. A. Heppenheimer
- Space Shuttle: The First 20 Years, The Astronauts' Experiences in Their Own Words by DK Publishing
- Wings In Orbit by Wayne Hale and NASA
And finally David Baker is working on a large overview of the program — thinking about David's reference work on Mercury, Gemini and Apollo (The History of Manned Spaceflight) this might be the "one book" you're looking for. |
MarylandSpace Member Posts: 1336 From: Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 07-14-2011 09:28 AM
I have the the Space Shuttle: First 20 Years book.Great essays and perspectives from the astronauts themselves. I really like it. |
Fezman92 Member Posts: 1031 From: New Jersey, USA Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 07-14-2011 10:38 AM
I agree. First 20 Years is a great book. I picked mine up about six years ago at the National Air and Space Museum. |
Rick Member Posts: 379 From: Yadkinville, NC Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 07-15-2011 01:32 PM
I don't know that it will be the "definitive" account of the Space Shuttle program, but I'm hard at work on a volume covering the aftermath of the Challenger accident through the last flight for the University of Nebraska Press' Outward Odyssey Series.I cannot begin to venture a guess on how many times I've e-mailed Colin Burgess, excited about an interview that I've just conducted. The manuscript is not due until spring of next year, with publication slated for the year after that. All I can say is this... the book will not read like a technical manual, because I am not an engineer, test pilot, scientist or astronaut, and I cannot pretend to be. What I'm shooting for is to document the human story of the Space Shuttle program ... what it was like to fly and work on such a magnificent vehicle. Without letting the cat out of the bag too much, here's one quote from STS-114 mission specialist Charlie Camarda that has resonated with me ever since we spoke. On how he reacted to the experience of being launched into space for the first time, Charlie said, "You're gonna have to ask Wendy Lawrence. She was sitting right next to me, and what Wendy Lawrence says is that I was just laughing and grabbing her hand and shaking her the whole time we were going up." How many of us would not give almost anything to have that same kind of reaction? |
Gooner Dave Member Posts: 12 From: Worcester, England Registered: Oct 2014
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posted 01-01-2015 06:28 AM
What is the best space shuttle book to read? Looking for the best history, pictures.Editor's note: Threads merged. |
nasamad Member Posts: 2121 From: Essex, UK Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 01-01-2015 08:33 AM
I haven't bought any books on the space shuttle for a few years but I see there is one by Piers Bizony. I haven't read it but I'm yet to read a book of his that I don't like. If I was in the market that would be high on the list. |
sev8n Member Posts: 233 From: Dallas TX USA Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 01-01-2015 10:11 AM
There are plenty of 'picture' books out there, many are mentioned in this forum.For history of the shuttle I think the Dennis Jenkins book(s) stand alone. |
randy Member Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 01-01-2015 12:19 PM
Here's one that I don't see mentioned: "The Space Shuttle Operators Manual" by Kerry Mark Joels, Gregory P. Kennedy and David Larkin. |