Discovery: Champion of the Space Shuttle Fleet

by Valerie Neal

This book places Space Shuttle "Discovery" within the history of the space shuttle program and provides an introduction to space shuttle technology with a focus on the orbiter itself. Discovery s unique history is presented mission by mission that includes a brief narrative of each mission, a chart of its key statistics (dates, duration, altitude, payloads, etc.), each mission s patch with an explanation of its unique symbolism, a crew portrait, and two to four iconic photos that capture the distinct activities and successes of each mission. The book also features anecdotes and memories of several astronauts who flew on "Discovery," as well as its modernization over the years and its final preparation for retirement at the Smithsonian."

147 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Dr. Valerie Neal joined the Museum as a curator in 1989 and is responsible for artifact collections from the Space Shuttle era and International Space Station, most prominently the orbiter Discovery. She led the Museum's effort to prepare shuttle test vehicle Enterprise for public display and to acquire Spacelab, SpaceShipOne, and the Manned Maneuvering Unit for the national collection. She worked closely with NASA and Museum staff to orchestrate the transfer of Discovery to the Smithsonian and the release of Enterprise back to NASA in 2012. She has curated three major exhibitions: Where Next Columbus? on the challenges of future exploration; Space Race; and Moving Beyond Earth about spaceflight in and beyond the Space Shuttle era.

Dr. Neal's publications include Discovery, Champion of the Space Shuttle Fleet (2014) and two edited books on space exploration, Spaceflight: A Smithsonian Guide (1995) and Where Next, Columbus? The Future of Space Exploration (1994). Her articles on shuttle history have appeared in History and Technology and Space Policy. She has been instrumental in the production of two Smithsonian Channel documentaries about the shuttle. Her current projects include completing a book about spaceflight in the shuttle era.

Before joining the Museum, Dr. Neal spent a decade as a writer, editor, and manager for some 25 NASA publications on shuttle and Spacelab missions, the Hubble Space Telescope and other great space observatories, the space sciences, and NASA history. She also participated in underwater astronaut-training activities and worked on the mission management support team for four shuttle missions.

She earned a Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Minnesota, following an M.A. in American studies from the University of Southern California, and a B.A. in English and history from Texas Christian University. She has taught at the University of Minnesota, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Vanderbilt University.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flying thirty-nine missions and spending three hundred sixty-five days in space, the space shuttle Discovery earned an impressive list of firsts over its twenty-seven years of service. Since Discovery flew every type of mission and served every purpose intended for the space shuttle, Discovery’s story is the story of the space shuttle itself.

Here, in the pages of this lavishly-illustrated volume from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, readers will discover the story of the space shuttle program. Then explore Discovery inside and out. Review each mission flown on board the shuttle and see where Discovery is now. Jam-packed with information and photographs, the story of the space shuttle is the story of a vital part of America’s space program. The story of Discovery is perfect for readers who remember the shuttle flights, for students of space exploration, and for those who want to learn about the space shuttle program.

A glossary is included.

Highly recommended.