Into the Black - Rowland White
Discussion
Should probably have put this in the books section but considering the topic thought it would be well placed here.
Rowland White's new book Into the Black is released later this week. A detailed look at the history of the Space Shuttle. Overview:
On 12th April 1981 a revolutionary new spacecraft blasted off from Florida on her maiden flight. NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia was the most advanced flying machine ever built – the high watermark of post-war aviation development. A direct descendant of the record-breaking X-planes the likes of which Chuck Yeager had tested in the skies over the Mojave Desert, Columbia was a winged rocket plane, the size of an airliner, capable of flying to space and back before being made ready to fly again. She was the world’s first real spaceship.
If it is anything like his previous books it should be a fantastic read. Vulcan 607 was a great read.
Rowland White's new book Into the Black is released later this week. A detailed look at the history of the Space Shuttle. Overview:
On 12th April 1981 a revolutionary new spacecraft blasted off from Florida on her maiden flight. NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia was the most advanced flying machine ever built – the high watermark of post-war aviation development. A direct descendant of the record-breaking X-planes the likes of which Chuck Yeager had tested in the skies over the Mojave Desert, Columbia was a winged rocket plane, the size of an airliner, capable of flying to space and back before being made ready to fly again. She was the world’s first real spaceship.
If it is anything like his previous books it should be a fantastic read. Vulcan 607 was a great read.
Should be good. A tough, critical look at the whole Space Shuttle programme in book form is overdue.
The most honest books on the Shuttle I've read to date are "Riding Rockets" by ex-Shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane and (perhaps surprisingly), the Haynes Manual on the Shuttle - written by David Baker.
Added to my "must have" book list immediately.
Hmm - a more detailed reading of the review states that it mainly relates to the first mission (STS-1) - so may not be as in depth as I would like. I will still get it though.
The most honest books on the Shuttle I've read to date are "Riding Rockets" by ex-Shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane and (perhaps surprisingly), the Haynes Manual on the Shuttle - written by David Baker.
Added to my "must have" book list immediately.
Hmm - a more detailed reading of the review states that it mainly relates to the first mission (STS-1) - so may not be as in depth as I would like. I will still get it though.
Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 8th March 10:58
Hoddo said:
Eric Mc said:
"Riding Rockets" by ex-Shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane and (perhaps surprisingly)
This is a fantastic book. Couldn't put it down.Got here via google, looking for reviews on Into the Black. I've read 607 and loved it, a great tale told very well. Anyone got any views on how his new book compares to either of these (Vulcan 607 and riding rockets)?
I posted in the books section. It's fantastic, Rowland has a talent for writing a story which people know the outcome of and yet recreating the excitement and drama. Amazing research too with some real gems, surprising appearances of the French Concorde, Eric Winkle Brown and a 23mm Russian space station cannon... 
DudleySquires said:
any views on how his new book compares to either of these (Vulcan 607 and riding rockets)?
White's "secret" is to reveal hidden aspects of historical events we thought we were familiar with. In the Shuttle book he reveals quite a bit about how the US Department of Defense were able to provide images of the Shuttle in space which helped them understand the extent of tile loss suffered during launch. That was new information to me.
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