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Space Ace: A Combat Pilot’s Journey from Vietnam to Beyond Earth
“On December 2, 1988, I lifted off aboard the Shuttle Atlantis on a top-secret mission to deploy a classified surveillance satellite. We accomplished the mission on the first day, but on the second, Mission Control informed us they had seen something hit our right wing during launch and ordered us to examine it. We saw a major amount of damage to our heat protection tiles. Given it was a classified mission, the Department of Defense would not allow us to broadcast a television signal back to Earth, but they agreed to let us send it encrypted. Mission Control studied it for a day, then cleared us for reentry. The images on the encrypted video were so poor that they had concluded we were only seeing shadows.
Even though the damage was there, I was reluctant to argue—bad form for an astronaut. We survived reentry, but more than 700 tiles were damaged and one was missing. Only a thick metal plate had saved us which had almost melted through.”
Written in his own words, Space Ace is the memoir of Astronaut Robert Lee “Hoot” Gibson, a true master of speed and air. Beginning from his youth growing up in a family of nine and learning to fly from his father, this book chronicles a rich, fascinating, and insightful life, encompassing the full breadth of his storied career while providing leadership lessons along the way. Captain Gibson rose through the ranks from Vietnam combat pilot to Navy Top Gun, from test pilot to NASA Space Shuttle Commander. “Hoot” shares it all, de-classifying some of the most historic moments in aerospace history, first-hand.
Even though the damage was there, I was reluctant to argue—bad form for an astronaut. We survived reentry, but more than 700 tiles were damaged and one was missing. Only a thick metal plate had saved us which had almost melted through.”
Written in his own words, Space Ace is the memoir of Astronaut Robert Lee “Hoot” Gibson, a true master of speed and air. Beginning from his youth growing up in a family of nine and learning to fly from his father, this book chronicles a rich, fascinating, and insightful life, encompassing the full breadth of his storied career while providing leadership lessons along the way. Captain Gibson rose through the ranks from Vietnam combat pilot to Navy Top Gun, from test pilot to NASA Space Shuttle Commander. “Hoot” shares it all, de-classifying some of the most historic moments in aerospace history, first-hand.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 11, 2026
High marks for the title of this book. Learned much about aerial combat, space shuttle operations and air plane racing.
April 5, 2026
A fascinating look at the life of Robert "Hoot" Gibson. While he is best known as an astronaut, the book also details his time serving in the Navy, including Vietnam, as well as his later in life exploits in flying classic airplanes and jets at airshows.
March 26, 2026
The luckiest is the tenderest
The toughest soldier, the bravest combat fighter pilot, the safest commander, the most competitive racer, the humblest team player, and the most achieving lifelong learner…is the one who deal with people and matters most softly… Thanks for leaving such a legacy, Captain Hoot Giberson.
The toughest soldier, the bravest combat fighter pilot, the safest commander, the most competitive racer, the humblest team player, and the most achieving lifelong learner…is the one who deal with people and matters most softly… Thanks for leaving such a legacy, Captain Hoot Giberson.
October 13, 2026
A Combat Pilot’s Journey from Vietnam to Beyond Earth sounds like a remarkable memoir about courage, discipline, and the extraordinary experiences that shape a life in aviation and space exploration.
Robert Hoot Gibson’s journey from learning to fly with his father to becoming a combat pilot, Top Gun aviator, test pilot, and NASA Space Shuttle Commander makes this story especially compelling.
The account of the damaged shuttle tiles during the 1988 Atlantis mission is particularly gripping, offering a glimpse into the risks astronauts can face even when everything appears to be under control.
What makes this memoir appealing is the opportunity to hear these experiences in Gibson’s own words, including historic aerospace moments that were once classified.
Beyond the technical achievements, the book also promises valuable lessons about leadership, decision making, responsibility, and staying composed under intense pressure.
I appreciate how the story connects a personal journey with milestones in military aviation and space exploration, giving readers both an intimate portrait of Gibson and a wider view of aerospace history.
Readers interested in aviation, NASA, military history, spaceflight, leadership, and inspiring real life stories may find this memoir especially rewarding.
Overall, Space Ace promises an engaging look at an extraordinary career, combining firsthand historical insight with lessons about courage, perseverance, and the responsibility that comes with high stakes decisions.
Robert Hoot Gibson’s journey from learning to fly with his father to becoming a combat pilot, Top Gun aviator, test pilot, and NASA Space Shuttle Commander makes this story especially compelling.
The account of the damaged shuttle tiles during the 1988 Atlantis mission is particularly gripping, offering a glimpse into the risks astronauts can face even when everything appears to be under control.
What makes this memoir appealing is the opportunity to hear these experiences in Gibson’s own words, including historic aerospace moments that were once classified.
Beyond the technical achievements, the book also promises valuable lessons about leadership, decision making, responsibility, and staying composed under intense pressure.
I appreciate how the story connects a personal journey with milestones in military aviation and space exploration, giving readers both an intimate portrait of Gibson and a wider view of aerospace history.
Readers interested in aviation, NASA, military history, spaceflight, leadership, and inspiring real life stories may find this memoir especially rewarding.
Overall, Space Ace promises an engaging look at an extraordinary career, combining firsthand historical insight with lessons about courage, perseverance, and the responsibility that comes with high stakes decisions.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews