A gripping first-hand account of life in space and the making of an
astronaut. What is it like to fly the space shuttle and work on and in
the International Space Station? Veteran NASA astronaut Tom Jones is
uniquely qualified to give the details: he flew four shuttle missions
and led three space walks to deliver the US Lab to the Station. . From
B-52 pilot during the Cold War, to a PhD in planetary science, to the
unbelievable rigors of astronaut training, his career inevitably pointed
him toward the space shuttle. Until the Challenger exploded. Jones's
story is the first to candidly explain the professional and personal
hardships faced by the astronauts in the aftermath of that 1986 tragedy.
He certainly has 'The Right Stuff' but also found himself wondering if
the risks he undertook were worth the toll on his family. Liftoffs were
especially nerve-wracking (his mother, who refuses to even get on a
plane, cannot watch) but his 53 days in space were unforgettable
adventures. Jones uses his background as a scientist to explain the
practical applications of many of the shuttle's scientific missions, and
describes what it's like to work with the international crews building
and living aboard the space station. Tom Jones returned from his space
station voyage to assess the impact of the 2003 Columbia tragedy, and
prescribes a successful course for the U.S. in space. Stunning
photographs, many taken in space, illustrate his amazing journey.
