Into the Black: The Extraordinary Untold Story of the First Flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the Astronauts Who Flew Her

The real-life techno-thriller from a bestselling author and aviation expert that recaptures the historic moments leading up to the launch of the space shuttle Columbia and the exciting story of her daring maiden flight.

Using interviews, NASA oral histories, and recently declassified material, Into the Black pieces together the dramatic untold story of the Columbia mission and the brave people who dedicated themselves to help the United States succeed in the age of space exploration. On April 12, 1981, NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia blasted off from Cape Canaveral. It was the most advanced, state-of-the-art flying machine ever built, challenging the minds and imagination of America’s top engineers and pilots. Columbia was the world’s first real spaceship: a winged rocket plane, the size of an airliner, and capable of flying to space and back before preparing to fly again.

On board were moonwalker John Young and test pilot Bob Crippen. Less than an hour after Young and Crippen’s spectacular departure from the Cape, all was not well. Tiles designed to protect the ship from the blowtorch burn of re-entry were missing from the heat shield. If the damage to Columbia was too great, the astronauts wouldn’t be able to return safely to earth. NASA turned to the National Reconnaissance Office, a spy agency hidden deep inside the Pentagon whose very existence was classified. To help the ship, the NRO would attempt something never done before. Success would require skill, perfect timing, and luck.

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Into the Black is a thrilling race against time and the incredible true story of the first space shuttle mission that celebrates our passion for spaceflight.

"Beautifully researched and written, "Into The Black "tells the true, complete story of the Space Shuttle better than it's ever been told before."--Col. Chris Hadfield, astronaut, author, Space Station commander

Beautifully researched and written, "Into The Black "tells the true, complete story of the Space Shuttle better than it s ever been told before. --Col. Chris Hadfield, astronaut, author, Space Station commander"

"Rowland White has written an unforgettable book, one destined to become a classic in the emerging field of space history. Moving effortlessly from planning meetings in obscure offices within NASA, the Pentagon, and industry to the unforgiving environment of high-risk flight test and flight into space, this book traces a remarkable journey and, along the way, introduces his readers to a courageous group of far-seeing engineers and astronauts whose bold vision and tenacious work gave humanity its first reusable space transportation system. A work of transcending importance, it will inform specialists and laypersons alike."--Dr. Richard P. Hallion, Senior Adviser for Air and Space Issues at the Pentagon, author of On the Frontier

Brilliantly revealed, "Into the Black" is the finely tuned true story of the first flight of the Space Shuttle "Columbia." Rowland White has magnificently laid bare the unknown dangers and unseen hazards of that first mission. He has also given us an amazing insight into a world of science and engineering, the victories and defeats, for the first time.It s the perfect tale that educates as it entertains. Once read, not forgotten --Clive Cussler"

" Into the Black" isn t just spectacularly researched, it s told like a thriller, unfolding the edge-of-death tale of the Space Shuttle "Columbia" s maiden voyage in riveting fashion. Rowland White performs a rare feat here, stitching together comprehensive research countless interviews, declassified files, flight documents into a tale of courage and daring as streamlined and elegant as the aircraft herself. Buckle in and hold on tight this thing's got jet propulsion. --Gregg Hurwitz, author of Orphan X"

Rowland White s account of "Columbia" s inaugural flight in 1981, and all the preparations that led up to it, could not be a more timely reminder of what it takes to design, launch and fly a complex manned space vehicle. White s research is thorough, his writing style is superb, and he has a gripping and fresh story to tell. This is a genuine must-have book for anyone fascinated by the sharp end of space flight. ' ""--Piers Bizony, author of Starman, The Space Shuttle, and The Making of Stanley Kubrick s 2001: A Space Odyssey "

"An unforgettable book, one destined to become a classic in the emerging field of space history. Moving effortlessly from planning meetings in obscure offices within NASA, the Pentagon, and industry to the unforgiving environment of high-risk flight test and flight into space, this book traces a remarkable journey and, along the way, introduces his readers to a courageous group of far-seeing engineers and astronauts whose bold vision and tenacious work gave humanity its first reusable space transportation system."--Dr. Richard P. Hallion, Senior Adviser for Air and Space Issues at the Pentagon, author of On the Frontier

" " Centuries from now the space shuttle program will beregarded as mankind's first mighty leap into space, not in a rowboat, but in atruly useful spaceship. White tells it as the great, magnificent adventure itwas. A superb book. --Stephen Coonts"

An" "extraordinary, carefully researched, tale of theevolution of America s space program. White has unearthed a treasure trove offormerly highly classified facts and combined them with an insightful look atthe people who developed and flew America s early human spacecraft and thefirst Space Shuttle flight. --Hugh Harris, former Director of Public Affairs for NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Voice of Space Shuttle Launch Control for STS-1"

"Intothe Black" told me stuff I never knew before and I worked at NASA for 30years."--Michael Foale, former Astronaut and International Space Station Commander"