Rowland White - Into the black : the extraordinary untold story of the first flight of the space shuttle Columbia and the Astronauts who flew her

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Beautifully researched and written, Into the Black tells the true, complete story of the Space Shuttle better than its ever been told before.

Colonel Chris Hadfield, astronaut, space station commander, author of You Are Here and An Astronauts Guide to Life on Earth

This remarkable book describes the final (and unpublished) chapter in the race to the moon! Between 1961 and 1963, four groups of astronauts were selectedthree groups were comprised of those pilots who were assigned to NASA and were highly publicized as men who explored the moon. The fourth group disappeared into the black world of the CIA, the NRO, and the top secret Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory. This is the exciting first-told story of these exceptional pilots who only became known publicly during the development and first flights of the Space Shuttleflights into the real black of space.

Dave Scott, commander, Apollo 15

Rowland White has written an unforgettable book, one destined to become a classic in the emerging field of space history. A work of transcending importance, it will inform specialists and laypersons alike.

Dr. Richard P. Hallion, former US Air Force historian and chief historian, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB

Rowland White has magnificently laid bare the unknown dangers and unseen hazards of that first mission. He has also given us amazing insight into a world of science and engineering, the victories and defeats, for the first time. Its the perfect tale that educates as it entertains. Once read, not forgotten.

Clive Cussler

There are stories of courage and heart-accelerating fear in these pages that even I, as an astronaut, was unaware of. If you have even a casual interest in the space program, read this book!

Mike Mullane, former astronaut, pilot, and author of Riding Rockets

In this gripping, real-life thriller, Rowland White introduces us to the engineers, test pilots, and astronauts who created the Space Shuttle and executed the boldest test flight in history. Into the Black lives up to the legacy of the ship I flew and loved.

Tom Jones, astronaut, pilot, scientist, and author of Sky Walking: An Astronauts Memoir

Centuries from now the Space Shuttle program will be regarded as mankinds first mighty leap into space, not in a rowboat but in a truly useful spaceship. Rowland White tells it as the great, magnificent adventure it was. A superb book.

Stephen Coonts

Into the Black is an extraordinary, carefully researched tale of the evolution of Americas space program. Rowland White has unearthed a treasure trove of formerly highly classified facts and combined them with an insightful look at the people who developed and flew Americas early human spacecraft and the first Space Shuttle flight. Anyone who has ever dreamed of being an astronaut will find themselves feeling they are indeed in the orbiter Columbia with Bob Crippen and John Young on that first flight.

Hugh Harris, former director of public affairs for NASAs Kennedy Space Center and broadcast commentator for Space Shuttle Launch Control for STS-1

Into the Black isnt just spectacularly researched, its told like a thriller, unfolding the edge-of-death tale of the Space Shuttle Columbia s maiden voyage in riveting fashion. White performs a rare feat here, stitching together comprehensive researchcountless interviews, declassified files, flight documentsinto a tale of courage and daring as streamlined and elegant as the spacecraft herself. Buckle in and hold on tightthis things got rocket propulsion.

Gregg Hurwitz, author of Orphan X

Into the Black told me stuff I never knew beforeand I worked at NASA for thirty years! The story pulls together many concurrent threads of space flight history, which ultimately led to the flight of the Space Shuttle and that wonderful opportunity it presented me. I found Into the Black to be a deep and enthralling read.

Michael Foale, former astronaut and International Space Station commander

Into the Black reveals fully for the first time the nail-biting suspense and extraordinary technical and human drama that lay behind the first flight of the hugely ambitious NASA Space Shuttle.

Alex Kershaw, author of The Bedford Boys

A drama of flight and raw human courage, with the luster of myth. Into the Black is a brilliant concept, brilliantly executed. Youll feel like you made the flight yourself. Strap in.

Stephen Baxter, author of Voyage and Titan

Vivid and gripping, Into the Black rekindles the awe and wonder of spaceflight. Rowland White seamlessly blends science and technology with the story of human daring behind the first launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia . What a great ride.

Meg Gardiner, author of Phantom Instinct

Into the Black is a tour de force. Rowland White blends hard-core science and history with colorful characters of the Tom Wolfe Right Stuff mold and a taut countdown to produce a genuine, real-life, edge-of-the-seat thriller.

Nick Cook, author of The Hunt for Zero Point and writer and presenter of Billion Dollar Secret

Also by Rowland White

Vulcan 607

Phoenix Squadron

Storm Front

The Big Book of Flight

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Copyright 2016 by Project Cancelled Ltd.

First Published in Great Britain in 2016 by Bantam Press, an imprint of Transworld Publishers

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First Touchstone paperback edition April 2017

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The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:

Cover Design by Fort Ventures

Cover Photograph Pi/Nasa/Landov

Names: White, Rowland.

Title: Into the black : the extraordinary untold story of the first flight of the space shuttle Columbia and the men who flew her / Rowland White.

Description: New York : Touchstone, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index.