Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster (SIGNED)

McDonald, Allan J; Hansen, James R.

ISBN 10: 0813033268 / ISBN 13: 9780813033266

Published by University Press of Florida, 2009

Hardcover with dustjacket : very good / fine minus. Book: only very very slight wear; the names to whom the author inscribed are blacked out. Jacket in new mylar protector; slight edge wear. 2nd printing. Inscribed and signed by one author: "-----, ------ indicated that you are interested in my book. I hope you enjoy it!/ Allan J. McDonald, 6-17-11" Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 128370

Synopsis:

On a cold January morning in 1986, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Challenger, despite warnings against doing so by many individuals, including Allan McDonald. The fiery destruction of Challenger on live television moments after launch remains an indelible image in the nation’s collective memory.

In Truth, Lies, and O-Rings, McDonald, a skilled engineer and executive, relives the tragedy from where he stood at Launch Control Center. As he fought to draw attention to the real reasons behind the disaster, he was the only one targeted for retribution by both NASA and his employer, Morton Thiokol, Inc., makers of the shuttle's solid rocket boosters. In this whistle-blowing yet rigourous and fair-minded book, McDonald, with the assistance of internationally distinguished aerospace historian James R. Hansen, addresses all of the factors that led to the accident, some of which were never included in NASA's Failure Team report submitted to the Presidential Commission.

Truth, Lies, and O-Rings is the first look at the Challenger tragedy and its aftermath from someone who was on the inside, recognised the potential disaster, and tried to prevent it. It also addresses the early warnings of very severe debris issues from the first two post-Challenger flights, which ultimately resulted in the loss of Columbia some fifteen years later.

About the Author:

Allan J. McDonald retired as vice president and technical director for advanced technology programs at ATK Thiokol Propulsion in 2001. He was the director of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Project at the time of the Challenger accident and, later, vice president of engineering for space operations during the redesign and requalification of the solid rocket motors.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Truth, Lies, and O-Rings: Inside the Space ...
Publisher: University Press of Florida
Publication Date: 2009
Binding: Hard Cover with Dustjacket
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: Fine-
Signed: Signed by Author(s)
Edition: First Edition, Second Printing.
Book Type: Book