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Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story from Launch Control
On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Seventy-three seconds after launch, the fiery breach of a solid motor joint caused a rupture of the propellant tanks, and a stunned nation watched as flames engulfed the craft, killing all seven crew members on board. It was Hugh Harris, “the voice of launch control,” whom audiences across the country heard counting down to lift-off on that fateful day.
With over fifty years of experience with NASA’s missions, Harris presents the story of the Challenger tragedy as only an insider can. With by-the-second accounts of the spacecraft’s launch and a comprehensive overview of the ensuing investigation, Harris gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the devastating accident that grounded the shuttle fleet for over two years. This book tells the whole story of the Challenger ’s tragic legacy.
With over fifty years of experience with NASA’s missions, Harris presents the story of the Challenger tragedy as only an insider can. With by-the-second accounts of the spacecraft’s launch and a comprehensive overview of the ensuing investigation, Harris gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the devastating accident that grounded the shuttle fleet for over two years. This book tells the whole story of the Challenger ’s tragic legacy.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
61 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Harris
33 books4 followersCalled “the Voice of NASA” for many years by the world’s television networks, Hugh Harris devoted thirty-five years with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to telling the story of the United States space program. Although he is best known to the public for his calm, professional commentary on the progress of launch preparations and launch of the space shuttle, his primary accomplishments were in directing an outreach program to the general public, news media, students, and educators, as well as to business and government leaders. He also oversaw the largest major expansion (up to that time) in the history of the Kennedy Space Center’s visitor complex and tours.
Harris began his career as a member of the news media. He worked as a reporter and broadcaster for WMTR in Morristown, New Jersey, and as a reporter and photographer for two newspapers.
After his retirement in 1998, he shared his experience in NASA public relations with nuclear industry leaders at conferences held by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency in Europe and Japan and in this country through the Nuclear Energy Institute.
He continues to work as a volunteer at the KSC Press Site, as well as for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
Harris began his career as a member of the news media. He worked as a reporter and broadcaster for WMTR in Morristown, New Jersey, and as a reporter and photographer for two newspapers.
After his retirement in 1998, he shared his experience in NASA public relations with nuclear industry leaders at conferences held by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency in Europe and Japan and in this country through the Nuclear Energy Institute.
He continues to work as a volunteer at the KSC Press Site, as well as for the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 27, 2020
How I read this: borrowed through Scribd free trial
Well this felt like reading some work related report...
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Well this felt like reading some work related report...
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January 21, 2025
Solid overview of the Challenger disaster.
I had ADHD and thought Challenger was Columbia but recalled it as I read this.
This almost read like a short primer, but the key facts came through. At a 107 pages, I think it is shorter than the initial report filed by the Presidential Commission but I digress. He doesn't go over any new material to those who studied it. Interestingly brief synopsis of Dr. Feynmans experiment with pieces of the O Ring.
Good quick read to fill up the mental tanks.
I had ADHD and thought Challenger was Columbia but recalled it as I read this.
This almost read like a short primer, but the key facts came through. At a 107 pages, I think it is shorter than the initial report filed by the Presidential Commission but I digress. He doesn't go over any new material to those who studied it. Interestingly brief synopsis of Dr. Feynmans experiment with pieces of the O Ring.
Good quick read to fill up the mental tanks.
February 4, 2014
When I was asked if I'd like a NetGalley review copy of this book, I immediately said yes; it was only after that it occurred to me how difficult it might be to read. I was 8 years old on January 28, 1986, and I watched the launch on TV like thousands of other second-graders. When Challenger broke apart, some of the kids cheered because they thought it was the boosters separating; but I was pretty sure it wasn't supposed to look like that, and when I saw my teacher's face I knew. The Space Shuttle had blown up, and the people inside had blown up too. (It wasn't until 20 years later that I found out they hadn't, that my one consolation - "at least it was quick" - was not true. Realizing that fact was like watching them die all over again.) Since then there have been horrors on a larger scale, but there's something very singular about the first tragedy of childhood. It's always been difficult for me to look at that image, no matter how many times I've seen it.
As it turns out, this was easier to read than I feared. The title implies some kind of exposé, but that's not what this is. It's more like an oral history put down on paper than glitzed-up narrative nonfiction - straightforward, factual, and personal. Using transcripts, records, and memory, Hugh Harris recounts Challenger's final day from his position in Launch Control, the initial reactions, and the difficult weeks that followed. It's true there's a lot of technical and mechanical detail that some might find dry, but to me that's an important part of the history; I learned things I didn't know even after all this time. You don't need flowery dramatic prose to make this story powerful - in my opinion, it's more powerful without it. Even if you don't understand some of the techno-talk, this is an accessible account of an important event in American history.
As it turns out, this was easier to read than I feared. The title implies some kind of exposé, but that's not what this is. It's more like an oral history put down on paper than glitzed-up narrative nonfiction - straightforward, factual, and personal. Using transcripts, records, and memory, Hugh Harris recounts Challenger's final day from his position in Launch Control, the initial reactions, and the difficult weeks that followed. It's true there's a lot of technical and mechanical detail that some might find dry, but to me that's an important part of the history; I learned things I didn't know even after all this time. You don't need flowery dramatic prose to make this story powerful - in my opinion, it's more powerful without it. Even if you don't understand some of the techno-talk, this is an accessible account of an important event in American history.
November 18, 2014
"One can only guess what talented people like the crew of Challenger might have done had they returned to earth alive. Yet, even their loss has inspired thousands of others to carry on for them in meaningful ways we will never fully know. They have not been lost to the world. They made it a better place."
While short, this was a very informative read. Some details I already knew, but in a lot of cases it provided more information than I had ever come across before. The evolution of NASA after Challengers loss is quite interesting, and it's a credit to those who continued to reach for the stars despite such a terrible loss.
While short, this was a very informative read. Some details I already knew, but in a lot of cases it provided more information than I had ever come across before. The evolution of NASA after Challengers loss is quite interesting, and it's a credit to those who continued to reach for the stars despite such a terrible loss.
September 3, 2022
Every generation has their defining media moment. Over the course of my lifetime I've witnessed the coverage of serial killer horrors from the likes of Jeffrey Dahmer and Paul Bernardo; school shootings at École Polytechnique and Columbine High School; and terrorist activities involving Pan Am Flight 103, 9/11, and the Boston Marathon.
While I clearly remember my wife waking me up on September 11, 2001, with the news that a plane hit a building, the event that scarred me the deepest, and which I remember the most vividly, is standing in the library of my elementary school on January 28, 1986, and watching the Challenger explode.
As such, reading Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story wasn't an easy experience, but it was something I had to do. Hugh Harris, the voice of Launch Control for Kennedy Space Center, takes us back through that fateful day, and through the organized chaos that followed. It's not a long read, and it quite dry in places, but it's incredibly fascinating to peel back the layers of secrecy and politics to understand what really happened.
Here we experience the last conversation with the Shuttle crew (ending with an ominous "Uh-oh"), the discovery of the crumpled frame of the Challenger crew cabin on the ocean floor, President Reagan's emotional speech in place of the scheduled State of the Union address, and a chillingly simple demonstration of o-ring failure in a cup of ordinary ice water. Harris recounts the weather warnings and temperature cautions from the engineers that never made it to the decision makers. He walks us through how White House inquiry came to happen, and just how much it actually improved the situation.
The story reaches an emotional high with the successful launch of Discovery, but it doesn't end there. Harris does a nice job of wrapping things up by honoring the crew of the Challenger, their contributions to the world, and the legacy they left. Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story may sometimes be a bit dry on the page, but the same can't be said of how it hits the eyes. It brought back a lot of memories, most of them painful ones, but it also offered both answers and closure to that elementary school kid who witnessed a disaster the likes of which he couldn't imagine, and then was sent back to class without another word said.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
While I clearly remember my wife waking me up on September 11, 2001, with the news that a plane hit a building, the event that scarred me the deepest, and which I remember the most vividly, is standing in the library of my elementary school on January 28, 1986, and watching the Challenger explode.
As such, reading Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story wasn't an easy experience, but it was something I had to do. Hugh Harris, the voice of Launch Control for Kennedy Space Center, takes us back through that fateful day, and through the organized chaos that followed. It's not a long read, and it quite dry in places, but it's incredibly fascinating to peel back the layers of secrecy and politics to understand what really happened.
Here we experience the last conversation with the Shuttle crew (ending with an ominous "Uh-oh"), the discovery of the crumpled frame of the Challenger crew cabin on the ocean floor, President Reagan's emotional speech in place of the scheduled State of the Union address, and a chillingly simple demonstration of o-ring failure in a cup of ordinary ice water. Harris recounts the weather warnings and temperature cautions from the engineers that never made it to the decision makers. He walks us through how White House inquiry came to happen, and just how much it actually improved the situation.
The story reaches an emotional high with the successful launch of Discovery, but it doesn't end there. Harris does a nice job of wrapping things up by honoring the crew of the Challenger, their contributions to the world, and the legacy they left. Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story may sometimes be a bit dry on the page, but the same can't be said of how it hits the eyes. It brought back a lot of memories, most of them painful ones, but it also offered both answers and closure to that elementary school kid who witnessed a disaster the likes of which he couldn't imagine, and then was sent back to class without another word said.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
June 21, 2023
The Challenger Story
A very interesting and eye opening book. Not like today, where accepting responsibility seems to be a dying artform, this book really does a fantastic job of defining just where responsibility does exist, but then goes on to identify just whose responsibility it may have been and then clearly tells the reader of the decisions that resulted. A very easy and informative read, uncluttered by any unique jargon that would leave the reader to not know what was being conveyed.
A very interesting and eye opening book. Not like today, where accepting responsibility seems to be a dying artform, this book really does a fantastic job of defining just where responsibility does exist, but then goes on to identify just whose responsibility it may have been and then clearly tells the reader of the decisions that resulted. A very easy and informative read, uncluttered by any unique jargon that would leave the reader to not know what was being conveyed.
February 22, 2025
From the Ashes a Phoenix Rises
A good explanation of a defining event in the American Space Program. It recreates the grief and anxiousness of a nation in mourning for our greatest heroes, the Astronauts. The story is well balanced with just enough technical jargon and the right amount of human emotion. I especially liked the full account of President Ronald Reagan's address go the nation regarding the Challenger disaster.
A good explanation of a defining event in the American Space Program. It recreates the grief and anxiousness of a nation in mourning for our greatest heroes, the Astronauts. The story is well balanced with just enough technical jargon and the right amount of human emotion. I especially liked the full account of President Ronald Reagan's address go the nation regarding the Challenger disaster.
October 22, 2017
This is not an in-depth look at the Challenger tragedy. It is however a good synopsis of that day and the investigation afterwards. It brought back the memory of myself and that day.
November 2, 2017
Great details without being to tedious.
October 5, 2020
An informative, if not particularly compelling description of the Challenger strategy.
April 7, 2021
Quick and interesting read about the Challenger tragedy from the point of view of Hugh Harris, the voice of launch control for the Challenger mission.
March 9, 2014
The end of January seems the cruelest time of the year, to me. This year, we were deep in the polar vortex. Five years ago, it was at the end of January when my wife received a cancer diagnosis. In 1978, the end of January brought the blizzard of '78 to the Midwest that stranded me for five days in Bowling Green, Ohio. And January 28, 1986 was another cruel day, as seven astronauts including our first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe, died in the Challenger disaster.
The memory of that day is burned into the minds of boomers and GenXers. We still can see the image of a huge explosion with two diverging trails as the solid rocket boosters continue on their own. We remember the closeups that show the fiery gases burning through the right solid rocket booster joint at the same moment as Commander Dick Scobie confirmed, "Roger, go at throttle up". At 73 seconds, the main fuel tank exploded and the whole launch vehicle began to disintegrate.
This brief account by Hugh Harris, know as "the voice of NASA" during most of the shuttle missions gives what I would call a bare-bones account of these events. We don't get biographies of each of the astronauts. We don't get moment-by-moment minutiae of the launch countdown. We don't see in detail all the discussions between Morton Thiokol, the maker of the solid rocket booster, and NASA about launch safety. We only get hints of the management structure that led to key figures not getting the key information that would lead them to cancel a mission for safety reasons. We do not get highly technical discussions of the O-ring and joint failure that led to fuel burn-through. Nor do we get gory speculation about how the astronauts died. On this last he simply quotes a report indicating inconclusive findings that did leave open the possibility that they were alive after the explosion but couldn't have survived the ocean impact.
What we do get is an eyewitness account of what things were like that morning--the cold weather, the ice on the launch structure, the previous delays, the final preparations for launch, the first 73 seconds, the explosion and its aftermath--search and rescue, NASA's frantic efforts to understand what went wrong, the commission hearings, and the rebuilding program that followed. Nearly all of it was familiar to me but it is the perfect account for someone who wants to understand the basic outlines of what happened and why and how NASA responded.
Perhaps the most telling moment was during hearings when noted physicist Richard Feynman simplified the complex discussions about whether the O-rings were responsible by taking a piece of O-ring material in a C-clamp, submerging it in ice water, and then showing its inability to return to its initial form. Temperatures the morning of the launch reached 20 degrees Farenheit.
Most chilling was to see the "russian roulette" thinking that led to failure to address the O-ring problems despite previous partial burn throughs. In the past, secondary O-rings contained it and so the thinking developed, that if it didn't happen before, it wouldn't this time. The irony was that NASA didn't learn. On the first shuttle flight after the disaster, Discovery showed evidence of damage from insulation that compromised the heat absorbing tiles on the wing surfaces, the same type of damage that led to the break up of Columbia in re-entry in 2003.
So, for the NASA geek or disaster lover, this is probably not enough. But if you want to get more than a Wikipedia article summary of the disaster, this is a well-written eyewitness account that covers the basic ground.
The memory of that day is burned into the minds of boomers and GenXers. We still can see the image of a huge explosion with two diverging trails as the solid rocket boosters continue on their own. We remember the closeups that show the fiery gases burning through the right solid rocket booster joint at the same moment as Commander Dick Scobie confirmed, "Roger, go at throttle up". At 73 seconds, the main fuel tank exploded and the whole launch vehicle began to disintegrate.
This brief account by Hugh Harris, know as "the voice of NASA" during most of the shuttle missions gives what I would call a bare-bones account of these events. We don't get biographies of each of the astronauts. We don't get moment-by-moment minutiae of the launch countdown. We don't see in detail all the discussions between Morton Thiokol, the maker of the solid rocket booster, and NASA about launch safety. We only get hints of the management structure that led to key figures not getting the key information that would lead them to cancel a mission for safety reasons. We do not get highly technical discussions of the O-ring and joint failure that led to fuel burn-through. Nor do we get gory speculation about how the astronauts died. On this last he simply quotes a report indicating inconclusive findings that did leave open the possibility that they were alive after the explosion but couldn't have survived the ocean impact.
What we do get is an eyewitness account of what things were like that morning--the cold weather, the ice on the launch structure, the previous delays, the final preparations for launch, the first 73 seconds, the explosion and its aftermath--search and rescue, NASA's frantic efforts to understand what went wrong, the commission hearings, and the rebuilding program that followed. Nearly all of it was familiar to me but it is the perfect account for someone who wants to understand the basic outlines of what happened and why and how NASA responded.
Perhaps the most telling moment was during hearings when noted physicist Richard Feynman simplified the complex discussions about whether the O-rings were responsible by taking a piece of O-ring material in a C-clamp, submerging it in ice water, and then showing its inability to return to its initial form. Temperatures the morning of the launch reached 20 degrees Farenheit.
Most chilling was to see the "russian roulette" thinking that led to failure to address the O-ring problems despite previous partial burn throughs. In the past, secondary O-rings contained it and so the thinking developed, that if it didn't happen before, it wouldn't this time. The irony was that NASA didn't learn. On the first shuttle flight after the disaster, Discovery showed evidence of damage from insulation that compromised the heat absorbing tiles on the wing surfaces, the same type of damage that led to the break up of Columbia in re-entry in 2003.
So, for the NASA geek or disaster lover, this is probably not enough. But if you want to get more than a Wikipedia article summary of the disaster, this is a well-written eyewitness account that covers the basic ground.
April 30, 2019
An account of the 1986 tragedy from one who was there. More of an eyewitness account than a compelling narrative. But it's good.
March 5, 2017
I thought this book was very well written and not overly technical. Mr. Harris speaks eloquently to the families of the astronauts, the problems at launch, and the deeper issues at NASA. I found it to be informative but a bit short.
November 16, 2015
On January 28th, 1986, the Challenger space shuttle failed just after launch. The author, who was present, reconstructs what went wrong, and succeeds in making this a human story.
This is a short book with several excellent photos, including the icicles dangling from the rocket on the morning of her launch. Troughs of water under the launch pad should absorb the sound waves; these troughs with added antifreeze had all frozen and had to be broken loose, emptied and refilled with stronger antifreeze. This made me think that nobody sane would start a risky journey in a car on such a day.
NASA's news reporter, author Hugh Harris, thought all was going well, with every word spoken by the astronauts, which included a civilian schoolteacher, relayed to flight control. A minute and thirteen seconds after launch Challenger exploded. The shock among watchers was extreme but soon professionalism took over, as Harris puts it. All notes were impounded in case they might shed light on the cause of the disaster.
President Reagan was told and immediately postponed his State of the Union Address to prepare to speak to the public. Vice President George Bush was aboard Air Force One when it touched down at the launch base at 5.30pm, and former astronaut John Glenn was one of the senators aboard. Their concern was to meet the bereft families.
An investigative committee independent of NASA was assembled. It is doubtful that such powerful names have ever been employed on the one project - Richard Feynman, Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, Chuck Yeager, are the best known. Reporter Jay Barbree was asking his sources for information, and found that analysis of video tapes showed the failure point. Gaining a second comment for confirmation, he broke the news on TV. Between the committee and the press, the engineering issue with parts in the extreme cold became so well known that it is now taught in every relevant school in the world. Sound prior advice was ignored.
The book looks at the recovery of the wreck, engineering processes and the next staffed space launch, three years later. Harris reminds us of the many benefits of the space programme, from satellites to biomonitoring and new materials. The International Space Station is one of humankind's greatest built achievements. This book is neither so simply written as to be for the general reader nor so densely technical as to be only for the scientist. Anyone wishing to analyse that brief period in history will find it fascinating. I would point out however that the whole world was watching that day. This book may be called CHALLENGER - AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY but it was actually a global tragedy.
This is a short book with several excellent photos, including the icicles dangling from the rocket on the morning of her launch. Troughs of water under the launch pad should absorb the sound waves; these troughs with added antifreeze had all frozen and had to be broken loose, emptied and refilled with stronger antifreeze. This made me think that nobody sane would start a risky journey in a car on such a day.
NASA's news reporter, author Hugh Harris, thought all was going well, with every word spoken by the astronauts, which included a civilian schoolteacher, relayed to flight control. A minute and thirteen seconds after launch Challenger exploded. The shock among watchers was extreme but soon professionalism took over, as Harris puts it. All notes were impounded in case they might shed light on the cause of the disaster.
President Reagan was told and immediately postponed his State of the Union Address to prepare to speak to the public. Vice President George Bush was aboard Air Force One when it touched down at the launch base at 5.30pm, and former astronaut John Glenn was one of the senators aboard. Their concern was to meet the bereft families.
An investigative committee independent of NASA was assembled. It is doubtful that such powerful names have ever been employed on the one project - Richard Feynman, Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, Chuck Yeager, are the best known. Reporter Jay Barbree was asking his sources for information, and found that analysis of video tapes showed the failure point. Gaining a second comment for confirmation, he broke the news on TV. Between the committee and the press, the engineering issue with parts in the extreme cold became so well known that it is now taught in every relevant school in the world. Sound prior advice was ignored.
The book looks at the recovery of the wreck, engineering processes and the next staffed space launch, three years later. Harris reminds us of the many benefits of the space programme, from satellites to biomonitoring and new materials. The International Space Station is one of humankind's greatest built achievements. This book is neither so simply written as to be for the general reader nor so densely technical as to be only for the scientist. Anyone wishing to analyse that brief period in history will find it fascinating. I would point out however that the whole world was watching that day. This book may be called CHALLENGER - AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY but it was actually a global tragedy.
January 17, 2014
Disclosure: I was provided this book for free by NetGalley
For those of us old enough, we will always remember where we were when the Challenger exploded over Cape Canaveral. Hugh Harris had a very unique viewpoint for the launch and his story is worth reading. Also known as "The Voice of NASA," Hugh provided commentary for the public during many shuttle missions. The book goes into a detailed account of his day starting from driving to the launch site in the predawn hours all the way to a late hour press conference. It's a shame that NASA's shuttle program has been halted. The race to space has provided the technology for you to read this review. The Challenger disaster proved that the NASA can take a horrible accident and make better technology, improve process, and inspire a new generation. I hope the next generation is as excited about space as mine.
My favorite quotes:
1. "Finally we were at January 28. The day had everything going for it in terms of weather, except the bitter cold."
2. "The astronauts had always believed that forming relationships with the people their lives depended on was only common sense."
3. "It was a chilling reminder that it is safer to sit on the ground than fly into space. But that's not an option for the human race."
For those of us old enough, we will always remember where we were when the Challenger exploded over Cape Canaveral. Hugh Harris had a very unique viewpoint for the launch and his story is worth reading. Also known as "The Voice of NASA," Hugh provided commentary for the public during many shuttle missions. The book goes into a detailed account of his day starting from driving to the launch site in the predawn hours all the way to a late hour press conference. It's a shame that NASA's shuttle program has been halted. The race to space has provided the technology for you to read this review. The Challenger disaster proved that the NASA can take a horrible accident and make better technology, improve process, and inspire a new generation. I hope the next generation is as excited about space as mine.
My favorite quotes:
1. "Finally we were at January 28. The day had everything going for it in terms of weather, except the bitter cold."
2. "The astronauts had always believed that forming relationships with the people their lives depended on was only common sense."
3. "It was a chilling reminder that it is safer to sit on the ground than fly into space. But that's not an option for the human race."
April 2, 2018
Full of facts
A quick read of the aftermath of the Challenger explosion. Found out things I had never known. I enjoyed this book.
A quick read of the aftermath of the Challenger explosion. Found out things I had never known. I enjoyed this book.
August 7, 2016
A quick and clear presentation of one of the most shocking days in American recent history. It is brief, but packed with information from the insider's/journalist's point of view. If you were watching it when it happened, you might have wanted to know why nobody was telling you anything relevant. If, like me, you weren't born when it happened, this is a good opportunity to find out how it really went and what changes it brought in NASA.
For me it was a bit too packed with names of people I never heard about (nor will I ever, probably), but if you are one who likes American history and have a thing for the staff at NASA and connected companies, this will be a delight for you.
For me it was a bit too packed with names of people I never heard about (nor will I ever, probably), but if you are one who likes American history and have a thing for the staff at NASA and connected companies, this will be a delight for you.
June 10, 2014
I enjoyed reading it, although it became a bit laboured towards the end. It's all very well highlighting all the lessons that were learned by NASA after the loss of Challenger, but the loss of Columbia proved that things were not so clear-cut. However, this got only a single paragraph. It's also a bit disappointing that the author actually misquotes his own launch commentary. Everyone who saw it that day knows that he said "Lift off, lift off of the twenty-fifth space shuttle mission and it has cleared the tower." I assume he was more accurate throughout the rest of the book! But it was an enjoyable read and very informative. I'm glad I read it.
June 3, 2016
This book lacked focus a little bit. The first part was the author's personal recollection of the Challenger disaster from his position in the firing room. This is a unique perspective on the event from someone who was there and personally knew the people involved.
After the accident occurred, however, the book shifts to a CliffsNotes version of the investigation into the cause of the accident and the changes made to the shuttle program as a result. It was well-written and interesting enough as it was, but those looking for a more in-depth look at the accident investigation will likely find themselves disappointed. There's just no way to give a "comprehensive overview" in only 81 pages.
After the accident occurred, however, the book shifts to a CliffsNotes version of the investigation into the cause of the accident and the changes made to the shuttle program as a result. It was well-written and interesting enough as it was, but those looking for a more in-depth look at the accident investigation will likely find themselves disappointed. There's just no way to give a "comprehensive overview" in only 81 pages.
December 7, 2015
Quick, factual read from a NASA insider about the Challenger tragedy. I find that should I feel the need to exercise my tear ducts, just watching a wee clip of the accident that befell the launch of the Challenger mission or, in this case, reading about it, does the trick. Hugh Harris as the voice of NASA at the time of the mission provides an unobstructed view of what had happened before, during and after the event. There is not much in this book but what Harris himself had knowledge about but at least, whatever he wrote is not second-hand knowledge. Still, a satisfying read.
January 22, 2014
This was a short book (only 81 pages), certainly was not a sweeping narrative of the space program or the astronauts themselves. It reads more like an in-depth encyclopedia article. But it covered the events of the disaster, the investigation commission, and the aftermath of both with thorough and personal detail. An interesting read, and a concise way to update yourself on a bit of American history as we approach the anniversary of the Challenger disaster.
3.5/5 stars
3.5/5 stars
November 16, 2015
Challenger
I remember watching this tragic event happen on t.v. when I was a child. The fear and sadness if the event touched many lives and continues to do so today. My children have been to the challenger center in Chattanooga, tn to learn more about space and science.
This book tasks about what happened that day, how the happened as well as what was done to correct the problems. It Is definitely an interesting book worth reading.
I remember watching this tragic event happen on t.v. when I was a child. The fear and sadness if the event touched many lives and continues to do so today. My children have been to the challenger center in Chattanooga, tn to learn more about space and science.
This book tasks about what happened that day, how the happened as well as what was done to correct the problems. It Is definitely an interesting book worth reading.
February 17, 2015
It amazes me
It amazes me, that a multi-million dollar space shuttle was destroyed, and all those lives lost because of a few malfunctioning o-ring. God have mercy on those trying to go to Mars.
It amazes me, that a multi-million dollar space shuttle was destroyed, and all those lives lost because of a few malfunctioning o-ring. God have mercy on those trying to go to Mars.
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March 6, 2015An overview of the Challenger disaster
This book is a quick read, hitting the high points of the disaster. I wished more the book had gone into more detail about the conditions leading to the tragedy and the investigation into its cause.
This book is a quick read, hitting the high points of the disaster. I wished more the book had gone into more detail about the conditions leading to the tragedy and the investigation into its cause.
March 8, 2015
This was a fascinating, behind the scenes look at the Challenger tragedy. It was a quick, easy read, but I have to admit that I skimmed a lot. I got bogged down in a lot of names and titles that, quite honestly, weren't crucial for me.
April 11, 2014
Received as an ARC from NetGalley.
June 6, 2016
Detailed account of the launch and the days and years following.
January 15, 2015
More like 3 1/2 stars. A short read. Interesting.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews