Written and curated by recognized historians of space exploration,
NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary is the authoritative photo
history of the iconic space program.
Officially known as the Space Transportation System (STS), the Space
Shuttle program operated from 1981 to 2011. During that time, five
Shuttle systems took part in 135 missions under the operation of NASA.
This approach--namely reusable spacecraft--revolutionized space
exploration. NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary traces the STS's
30-year operational history. Essays by former NASA chief historian
Roger Launius are accompanied by a collection of incredible Shuttle
photography and imagery mined from the depths of NASA's archives
by aerospace historian Piers Bizony--all of it presented in
large-format color.
Readers will witness the pre-1981 evolution, the missions, astronauts,
ground personnel and infrastructure, and amazing accomplishments of the
Shuttle program and its spacecraft: Columbia, Challenger,
Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. From the launch
site at Cape Kennedy, Florida, to mission control in Houston, Texas, to
the landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, all aspects of Shuttle
operation are covered, including key roles in efforts such as the
Hubble Telescope and International Space Station, as well as the
tragedies of Challenger and Columbia disasters.
Every carefully chosen image in NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary
tells an aspect of the Shuttle story. The resulting book is not only a
unique view of a key chapter of NASA history--it's a compelling
collection of stunning NASA photography and illustrations.
