More about the book
On February 1, 1978, NASA introduced the first group of space shuttle astronauts, including the first American woman and the first African American in space. This diverse assembly would navigate the challenging years of the space shuttle program, with four tragically dying in the "Challenger" disaster. USAF Colonel Mike Mullane, a member of this class, shares his candid experiences in "Riding Rockets," revealing the humanity behind the astronaut facade. His memoir strips away the heroic image, presenting astronauts as relatable individuals. Mullane's anecdotes range from humorous to poignant, capturing the essence of the astronaut experience—whether it’s discussing urine-collection condom sizes with a female technician, saying goodbye to a spouse on a Florida beach, or experiencing the thrill and terror of a space launch. He also offers a critical view of NASA leadership, whose missteps contributed to the "Challenger" tragedy. The narrative explores themes of family tragedy, the influence of the Sputnik satellite, and the complexities of love and marriage. Ultimately, it presents a rich tapestry of human experiences that resonate deeply beyond the confines of space travel.
Book purchase
Riding Rockets, R. Mike Mullane
- Language
- Released
- 2006
- Binding
- (Hardcover),
- Book condition
- Good
- Price
- €11.99
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- Title
- Riding Rockets
- Subtitle
- The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut
- Language
- English
- Authors
- R. Mike Mullane
- Publisher
- Scribner
- Released
- 2006
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 368
- ISBN10
- 0743276825
- ISBN13
- 9780743276825
- Series
- Tags
- Non-Fiction, Biographies, Adventure, Science, Autobiographies & Memoirs, USA, Biographies, Space
- Description
- On February 1, 1978, NASA introduced the first group of space shuttle astronauts, including the first American woman and the first African American in space. This diverse assembly would navigate the challenging years of the space shuttle program, with four tragically dying in the "Challenger" disaster. USAF Colonel Mike Mullane, a member of this class, shares his candid experiences in "Riding Rockets," revealing the humanity behind the astronaut facade. His memoir strips away the heroic image, presenting astronauts as relatable individuals. Mullane's anecdotes range from humorous to poignant, capturing the essence of the astronaut experience—whether it’s discussing urine-collection condom sizes with a female technician, saying goodbye to a spouse on a Florida beach, or experiencing the thrill and terror of a space launch. He also offers a critical view of NASA leadership, whose missteps contributed to the "Challenger" tragedy. The narrative explores themes of family tragedy, the influence of the Sputnik satellite, and the complexities of love and marriage. Ultimately, it presents a rich tapestry of human experiences that resonate deeply beyond the confines of space travel.