The Space Shuttle Program

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. It first traces the early development of NASA's shuttle program, specifically examining the problems associated with the designs of shuttles OV-099 (which was to become Challenger) and OV-102 (which was to become Columbia).
The reader is then taken through a detailed look at the first successful flights made by Challenger and Columbia and the cancellation of top-secret Shuttle flight 51-C (which would have launched under nearly identical weather conditions as the ill-fated Challenger). An in-depth assessment of the shuttles' disastrous final launches follows, including detailed accounts of the post-flight search and rescue operations, the official investigations into each accident, and the impact of each disaster on the future of NASA's manned space program.

Table of Contents

Introduction     

SECTION I. PROBLEMS IN DEVELOPMENT
One. In the Beginning     
Two. A History of Success? The Solids     

SECTION II. COUNTDOWN TO DISASTER
Three. 51-C: Too Cold for the Military     
Four. 1985 Was Not a Good Year     
Five. Pre-Flight: Dangers Not Seen     

SECTION III. CHALLENGER'S FINAL MISSION
Six. A Cold Morning Like No Other     
Seven. The Final Ascent: The Flight of Challenger     
Eight. Post-Flight Operations     

SECTION IV. INVESTIGATIONS AND RECOVERY
Nine. The Challenger Investigation     
Ten. Unanswered Questions: Beyond the Commission     
Eleven. Recovery for Flight? STS-26     

SECTION V. FROM CHALLENGER TO COLUMBIA
Twelve. Beyond the Recovery: Was It Really Fixed?     
Thirteen. The Fall of Space Shuttle Columbia     
Fourteen. On the Road Again     

SECTION VI. THE FUTURE OF MANNED SPACEFLIGHT
Fifteen. A Look to the Future     

Appendix I. Shuttle Flights Pre-Challenger Disaster     
Appendix II. The Flights of Columbia     
Appendix III. The Mission and Crew of Challenger 51-L     
Appendix IV. The Crew of Columbia STS-107     
Appendix V. Personal Observations on the Reliability of the Shuttle by Dr. Richard P. Feynman     
Appendix VI. The Columbia Emails: Opportunities Missed     
Appendix VII. Mission 51-L Press Kit     
Abbreviations and Definitions     
Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Index