Posts: 2047
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

Posts: 1391
From:
Registered: Apr 2008

Posts: 1291
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 04-14-2023 03:42 PM               

---

Francis and John – Thanks! It's been a minute since I've done this, but it's exciting to be actively Outward Odysseying again.

Jim – Thanks for sharing!

Posts: 56494
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-14-2023 04:14 PM               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by DavidH:
New Era in Deep Space Exploration

---

David, congratulations!

For unrelated reasons, I have been giving this some thought as of late, trying to decide where future historians will draw the line between the Apollo-era and what comes next and though there is common hardware involved, I believe Ares I-X may ultimately become the dividing launch. From your working title, am I right you feel the same?

Posts: 1291
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 04-14-2023 04:53 PM               

---

Noting that I'm really early in the process, and reserve the right to change my mind:

The first two words of the working title came from me; the rest came from UNP after they vetoed including the word "triboelectrifying" as an adjective.

It'd be impossible to tell the story with no context, but, in general, my goal right now is to let this story breathe on its own as much as I can. I feel like Ares I-X gets lost easily in the big picture of Constellation, and there's a tendency to litigate it in retrospect based on the fate of the larger program. I just want to tell the story of this time some folks built a rocket, and, in doing so, tell a story about what building a rocket is like.

Posts: 1291
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

Posts: 1570
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 10-01-2024 09:01 AM               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
"Permission to Come Aboard" (Charlie Walker autobiography); manuscript about to be submitted for editing.

---

Any update on shuttle payload specialist Charlie Walker's book?

I see upcoming publication dates for two in the Outward Odyssey series ("Star Bound" and "Into the Void") but nothing mentioned for several years on Walker's book.

Posts: 2191
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 10-01-2024 04:12 PM               

---

It has long been an agreed tradition between myself, UNP and the authors that there would be no pressure placed on the authors to submit their completed manuscripts. Most, as you realise, are first-time writers for the series and we do not want to place any pressure on them to rush into completing their books. A good, well researched book is far preferable to one that has been rushed in order to comply with a contract stipulation on the sumission date.

In the case of Charlie Walker, this book was signed up 11 years ago, and when I do my annual check on its progress I get assurances that it is nearing completion. The last date I received from Charlie for manuscript completion and submission was "towards the end of 2022." Since then, silence. Charlie's a great guy, a friend, but I fear more time will pass before I get some more positive news.

Posts: 335
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Apr 2005

posted 09-06-2025 06:01 AM            

---

Any further update on Charlie Walker’s book?

It has been quite a while since the last update. Will it be published at all, or has the author pulled out?

Posts: 2191
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-06-2025 08:48 AM               

---

I'm afraid the latest update is that there is no update.

Charlie's been a good friend over many years, but whenever I ask about a submission date for his manuscript I'm told it is only months away, or words to that effect. It's against my policy and that of UNP to insist on the contracted handover date, but as you can see in my last post the book contract was signed back in 2014.

I'd urge you not to hold your breath in anticipation of it coming soon. Even if the manuscript was submitted now, it would likely be 2027 before it is released.

Posts: 1291
From: Huntsville, AL, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 05-07-2026 06:43 PM               

---

The Outward Odyssey authors have written a blog post for UNP about the Artemis II mission, which can be found here.

It's always a thrill to get to do write these; the authors all bring insightful and unique takes on history being made, and I love reading their thoughts.

Posts: 2191
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003