Book Review - Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story from Launch Control

Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story from Launch Control
Challenger: An American Tragedy: The Inside Story from Launch Control by Hugh Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclosure: I was provided this book for free by NetGalley

For those of us old enough, we will always remember where we were when the Challenger exploded over Cape Canaveral. Hugh Harris had a very unique viewpoint for the launch and his story is worth reading. Also known as "The Voice of NASA," Hugh provided commentary for the public during many shuttle missions. The book goes into a detailed account of his day starting from driving to the launch site in the predawn hours all the way to a late hour press conference. It's a shame that NASA's shuttle program has been halted. The race to space has provided the technology for you to read this review. The Challenger disaster proved that the NASA can take a horrible accident and make better technology, improve process, and inspire a new generation. I hope the next generation is as excited about space as mine.

My favorite quotes:

"Finally we were at January 28. The day had everything going for it in terms of weather, except the bitter cold."

"The astronauts had always believed that forming relationships with the people their lives depended on was only common sense."

"It was a chilling reminder that it is safer to sit on the ground than fly into space. But that's not an option for the human race."


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